In an effort to minimize harmful emissions from ships, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced a significant amendment to its existing limits on sulphur in ships’ fuel oil. The new regulation, set to be effective from January 1, 2020, under the IMO’s MARPOL treaty, marks a substantial dip from the previous limit of 3.50% to a reduced 0.50%. This progressive move is expected to render benefits not only for the environment but also for general human health.
The Current Situation: Pollution by Ships
More than 52,000 ships crisscross the ocean highways, consuming over 2 billion barrels of heavy fuel oil annually. As a byproduct of crude oil, heavy fuel oil contains sulphur concentrations up to 1,800 times higher than diesel fuel used in cars. This contributes between 2 to 3 percent of the total global greenhouse gas emissions through the release of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide.
Other Forms of Shipping Pollutions
Besides air pollution, ships also lead to other environmental issues including ballast water discharges that introduce invasive species into the oceans, sound pollution that disturbs marine life, and oil spills and chemical discharges that pose huge socio-economic and environmental impacts.
In the case of ballast water, the water taken in at one port is discharged at another, leading to the introduction of non-native species in the sea. Sound pollution, on the other hand, forces fish away from their habitats and affects marine organisms that depend on sound for communication, mating calls, and prey hunting.
Illegal discharge of bilge oil (a mix of water, oil, lubricants, and other pollutants collected in a ship’s hold) before entering a port is also rampant. This is essentially due to cheaper costs compared to legal disposal at a port. Bilge oil dumping accounts for nearly 10% of all oil entering the oceans every year.
The MARPOL Treaty: An Overview and Its Importance
Known as one of the most critical international marine environmental conventions, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) provides the primary international regulations for preventing pollution from ships due to operational or accidental causes.
The MARPOL Convention, first adopted at the IMO on November 2, 1973, was subsequently modified with the Protocol of 1978 in response to several tanker accidents during 1976-1977. Presently, it features a combination of the original 1973 Convention and the 1978 Protocol, enforced since October 2, 1983.
The convention encompasses six technical annexes addressing the prevention and control of different forms of pollution from ships.
MARPOL’s Annexes
- Annex I: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil
- Annex II: Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk
- Annex III: Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form
- Annex IV: Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships
- Annex V: Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships
- Annex VI: Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships
In 2011, IMO became the first international regulator for a transport sector to globally adopt binding energy efficiency requirements applicable to all ships, regardless of their trading pattern or flag State, with the aim to curb greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping.
About the International Maritime Organization
As a specialized agency of the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is responsible for measures to enhance the safety and security of international shipping and prevent pollution from ships. Established on March 17, 1948, in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations, IMO also addresses legal issues including liability and compensation matters and facilitating international maritime traffic.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of ships on ocean | Over 52,000 |
| Annual heavy fuel oil consumption by ships | More than 2 billion barrels |
| Percent of global greenhouse gas emissions by ships | 2 – 3% |
| Year of MARPOL Convention adoption | 1973 |
| Year when IMO’s energy efficiency requirements were adopted | 2011 |
| IMO Member states | 174 |
The Impact of Collisions with Wildlife
Apart from the aforementioned issues, ships also cause physical and other damages to marine life through anchor dropping, wave disturbances, and direct collisions with whales and other marine creatures. This puts additional pressure on the already vulnerable aquatic ecosystems, demanding even more stringent regulatory actions.
