Briefing

Green NGOs Submission to IMO on Reducing Ship Emissions

January 15, 2006

This document calls on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to recommend stringent limits on the emissions of nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide and particulate matter from ships, and to include consideration of shore-side power, and presents recent information on ship emissions, their impacts and controls in support thereof.

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The IMO must act decisively and promptly to reduce substantially emissions of air pollution from ships. The public health and environmental impacts from this under-regulated source are not acceptable and cannot be justified. This is particularly so in view of the availability of feasible, cost-effective measures to reduce shipping emissions.

We urge the Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases (BLG) to recommend that emission reductions achievable by after-treatment control technologies be required, from both new and existing ships. Thus, BLG should require reductions of 70-90% for nitrogen oxide (NOx) and at least 70-80% for sulfur oxide (SOx). Deep particulate matter reductions should also be required, although the particulate matter reduction co-benefits of NOx and SOx reductions should be considered. We urge BLG to recommend that these reductions be phased in as soon as possible, but no later than the 2010-2015 time period.

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