Priorities must be set to smoothen the introduction of low sulphur norms in Northern Europe: establishing a fair level playing field is one of them, says the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA).
With the 1 January 2015 deadline elapsing in Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECA) in less than ten months from now, there is no time to lose. This was the core message ECSA Secretary General Patrick Verhoeven has given in his keynote speech at the Clean Shipping Conference in Gdansk, during the Baltic Transport Week.
Verhoeven: ‘I would make a plea for a playing field that is level but fair. It means first of all that the early adopters, those operators that completed all the investments and are ready to meet the sulphur norms in time, are not penalised. But it equally means that those that can demonstrate that they made the necessary commitments to meet the norms, but may not be entirely ready by the time the deadline elapses for technical or other good reasons, are given a compliance path within a limited and conditional timeframe.’
Legal Certainty
‘Other issues need priority attention as well, such as the need to clarify financial support options and legal certainty on applicable rules and regulations in ports. The sense of urgency in getting clear answers on these issues cannot be underlined enough,’ added Verhoeven.
Doing Well in Terms of Sustainability
‘We need genuine international rules, also within an IMO context, proper impact assessments and a less defensive attitude from industry. Considering the uniquely positive role we play for society at large, providing so much of what people consume and use in their daily lives at such a low cost, I think we are doing quite well in terms of overall sustainability. But we need to be out there telling that story much better.’
