Bimco wades into bunkers debate
Following Intertanko’s call two weeks ago for the world fleet to switch to expensive distillate fuel such as diesel for environmental reasons, Bimco has called for the use of distillate fuel in ports and estuaries but of residual fuels with higher sulphur content on the high seas, subject to global cap restrictions. Bimco says: “This could easily be implemented without any major difficulties or delays.” In addition it advocates the continued development and improvement of exhaust scrubbing techniques.In a statement which avoids mentioning Intertanko, Bimco says it recommends that all means of reducing pollution from the maritime sector are explored and none are excluded at this stage.
Bimco says that it believes that the concept of Sulphur Emission Control Areas - SECA - is a pragmatic one and that all SECA should have the same sulphur cap so that the number of different fuels to be carried on board are minimised. However, Bimco believes that the goal of reducing the content of sulphur in HFO to below 1% may be unworkable in practice, as blending may lead to unsafe fuel standards having inadequate combustion properties. It also says it supports NOx reductions through “in engine” improvements as a first step. But it says that the second step of reduction of NOx by the use of abatement equipment “premature at this stage” though Bimco adds that it is not convinced that the use of such equipment will lead to reduced engine efficiency resulting in increased air emissions.