Sign up
Log in Sign up
This is a legacy page. Please click here to view the latest version.
Tue 23 Jan 2018, 12:07 GMT

Record Northern Sea Route volume prompts fresh call for HFO ban


Clean Arctic Alliance calls for member state support at MEPC 72 in April.

The Clean Arctic Alliance - a coalition of international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) - has responded to the latest figures for goods shipped along the Northern Sea Route in 2017 by once again calling for a ban on the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in Arctic waters.

According to data from the Russian Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport, 9.737 million tonnes of goods were shipped on the Northern Sea Route last year - up 2.437 million tonnes, or 33.4 percent, on 7.3 million tonnes recorded in 2016.

In a statement, Dr Sian Prior, lead advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance, said: "The reduced sea ice extent is already attracting more shipping into Arctic waters, in a search for shorter routes and cost savings, a trend that will continue for the foreseeable future. Not only is traffic expanding along the Arctic's Northern Sea Route, but also along the Northwest Passage to the north of Canada and the US, and even across the central Arctic Ocean. This growth in traffic brings an increased risk of oil spills, and greater emissions of black carbon, which exacerbates the melting of sea ice."

"With the next meeting of the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee coming up in April, we're calling on member states to back a ban on the use of heavy fuel oil - the dirtiest from shipping fuels - from vessels operating in Arctic waters," Prior added.

Back in July, the Clean Arctic Alliance welcomed the support from member states at the Marine Environment Protection Committee's (MEPC) 71st session for a proposal to identify measures which will mitigate the risks posed by the use of HFO in Arctic waters, and called on the IMO to work towards a swift conclusion of the work.

The proposal, 'Measures to Reduce Risks of Use and Carriage of Heavy Fuel Oil as Fuel by Ships in Arctic Waters', was put forward by Canada, Finland, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway and the US, and supported by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Poland, Singapore, Spain and Sweden.

Concrete proposals for measures to reduce the risks of HFO are expected to be considered by MEPC 72 in April.

Varsha Sudheer, Island Oil. Island Oil appoints Varsha Sudheer as senior trader in Dubai  

Marine fuel supplier strengthens trading platform with new hire at recently established UAE hub.
Bitoil Group logo. Bitoil Group seeks bunker trader for Dubai operations  

Dubai-based company is recruiting for a senior bunker trader role to manage global fuel sales and procurement.
Hiring concept with puzzle pieces and a magnifying glass. Uni-Fuels seeks bunker traders for new London operation  

Singapore-headquartered firm advertises position as part of UK expansion.
Hiring concept with puzzle pieces. Uni-Fuels seeks bunker traders for new Piraeus office  

Nasdaq-listed marine fuel provider advertises positions as part of expansion into Greek market.
Sleipner RoRo vessel render. Wing sails could cut fuel use by 9% on expedition cruise vessels, study finds  

Wallenius Marine and Salén Ship Management examine wind propulsion potential beyond cargo shipping.
C-Flexer RoRo vessel render. Stena RoRo orders C-Flexer RoRo vessels with battery-hybrid propulsion for 2029 delivery  

Swedish shipowner places order with China Merchants Industry for next-generation vessels designed by NAOS.
IMO Technical Seminar on Marine Biofuels graphic. IMO to host technical seminar on marine biofuels in February  

Event at London headquarters will examine recent experiences and future prospects for biofuels in shipping.
Maritime Cleantech Enabling Ammonia Bunkering seminar graphic. H2SITE to present ammonia cracking technology at Bergen maritime seminar  

Spanish firm to showcase dual-environment hydrogen production system for vessels and ports at Maritime CleanTech event.
The Arctic and black carbon graphic. Clean Arctic Alliance urges Canada, Iceland and Norway to back polar fuels proposal at IMO  

Environmental coalition calls on three Arctic nations to support Denmark-led measure on black carbon emissions.
Valenciaport and Port of Santos MoU signing. Valencia and Santos ports establish green corridor to decarbonise transatlantic trade  

Ports sign agreement to promote low-emission fuels and shore power on Europe–South America route.

↑  Back to Top


 Recommended