New Directive into force to reduce the sulphur content of marine fuels
Today the Directive 2012/33/UE of the European Parliament and the Council of 21 november 2012 entered into force amending the one already existing related to sulphur content of marine fuel oils. Heavy fuel oils usually employed for ship propulsion can have a sulphur content up to 5 %. Sulphur dioxide released causes acid rain and generates fine dust dangerous for human health, reducing life expectancy in the EU up to two years. The new Directive guided by standards developed at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will allow to reduce progressively the maximum sulphur content of marine fuels from the current 3.5% to 0.5% by January 2020. In some very fragile ecosystems such as the Baltic Sea and the North Sea including the English Channel, it will be reduced to 0.1%, already in 2015. The revision of the legislation will allow not only to reduce sulphur emissions but above all particulate matter to mark a clear step forward for the protection of people's health and the environment.