New Global Agreement to Reduce Air Pollution from Ship Transportation

7 April 2014

The agreement at the IMO (the International Maritime Organization) means that stricter emissions standards will come into force in designated NOx areas from 2016, and that new NOx areas can be established on a regional basis.

Countries applying for a new NOx area can decide that ships built up to 16 months prior to the establishement of a new NOx area, must have implemented the new technology in order to sail through.

The United States is the first country where the regulations will apply from 2016. The United States is a major market for Danish shipping. Consequently, it is important that there is clarity as to which regulations apply and when. The decision is also good news for Danish marine equipment manufacturers, who are world-leaders on the market and which have made considerable investments in the development of new technologies.

“We see the one big European city after the other be challenged by increased air pollution. We sometimes forget that ship transportation is a significant root cause. That is why the IMO agreement is more important than ever,” says Minister of the Environment Kirsten Brosbøl

“I am pleased that the IMO succeeded in reaching a good solution. It is important to Blue Denmark. First and foremost, it has become certain that the regulations can take effect and will have the intended environmental impact in practice. The result also removes a great part of the uncertainty as regards when the stricter requirements are to be met. This is of great importance to the shipping industry and to future investments in new ships and marine equipment, says Director-General of the Danish Maritime Authority Andreas Norseth.

A Danish advantage

The Danish maritime industry has successfully adapted to the changes in international shipbuilding. Today Blue Denmark is an important supplier of green maritime technology and services to shipowners and shipyards all over the world. Danish companies are on “the preferred makers’ lists” of shipowners around the globe as a result of the quality, flexibility, innovation and high-end service they offer.

The technologies are developed in close cooperation and partnerships between shipping companies, equipment manufacturers, shipyards and knowledge institutions. This collaborative approach ensures continuous innovation and the development of competitive, easy-to-integrate solutions that work in practice.

The Danish maritime industry offers a wide range of green maritime solutions, both for the building of new ships as well as for retrofitting of existing vessels. These include solutions for treating ballast water, reducing air emissions, improving energy efficiency and many more.

Blue Denmark’s innovative systems and technologies enable ships to meet high environmental protection and operational performance standards – and offer long-term life cycle benefits to shipbuilders and shipowners

Facts about Danish maritime

• Maritime transport is the most energy-efficient mode of transport

• The Danish maritime industry is a market leader in several areas, including engine and propeller design, marine coating, pumping systems and navigational and safety equipment

• Danish-designed ship engines are the most widely used globally

• The Danish maritime industry has contributed to projects that have led to more than 20% reduction in fuel consumption, 90% decrease in SOx and 80% decrease in NOx emissions

• Since 2008 Danish carriers have reduced their CO₂ emissions by 25%

Source: Danish Maritime Authority / Danish Ministry of the Environment

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