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MARPOL Annex VI: Low Sulphur Emissions 2020

Operators who are planning new tonnage must have the MARPOL Annex VI legislation foremost in their current investigations.  Whilst the NOx emission controls are already in place, the forth coming global sulphur emission controls will, in 2020, see a signification reduction in acceptable output from 3.5% to 0.5%. Since January 2015 levels in SOx Emission Control Areas (ECA) have already been limited to 0.1%.

Existing vessels may choose to retrofit cleaning devices such as exhaust scrubbers. However, new builds have far broader options and may more easily consider alternative fuels such as biofuels or LNG. Jennifer Knox, a respected professional in the maritime industry, was ahead of her time in this field. As far back as two years ago she was called upon to give a keynote address at the Symposium on Marine Propulsors, when she mused on how the history of shipping before fossil fuels has valuable lessons for shipping in a low-carbon future. She also discussed how current advances in propulsion technologies continue to improve fuel efficiencies.

Jennifer’s experience and knowledge is being called on again at the forthcoming International Maritime Conference in October this year. At this event she will be speaking about the Polar Code and how it will improve ship survivability in Antarctic and Southern Ocean operations. 

For further information about her paper on low sulphur and energy efficient alternatives in shipping or for a sneak preview of some of the concepts about to be presented on the Polar Code please contact Lightning Naval Architecture.