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ITF to back distillates at IMO fuel debate
28 March 2008
The ITF will swing its support behind a move to distillate (marine diesel) fuels as the best way to achieve greener shipping when it backs the clean fuel option at the IMO’s MEPC (Marine Environment Protection Committee) on Monday March 31 2008.
In its paper to the committee (available via the link below) the ITF will say that a global application of a 1% fuel standard in 2012 and 0.5% in 2015 is the cleanest way to proceed, although the implementation dates “may not be entirely practical”.
The Federation notes that “in the interests of the environment, climate change and public health concerns, society is demanding a global reduction in sulphur and CO2 emissions by the shipping industry” and that “ultimately the control of emissions in a limited number of refineries rather than 50,000 ships must be preferred.”
The ITF paid particular attention to possible effects on the health of seafarers and port workers, as well as the wider public and environmental benefit, before deciding that: “the best interests of seafarers and the public in general are served…by instituting an industry-wide change to low sulphur distillate fuel.”
John Bainbridge, ITF Seafarers’ Section Assistant Secretary, who will present the paper to the IMO, commented: “It’s not widely understood outside the industry but shipping moves most of the world’s goods while producing only a fraction of its emissions. And there is a consensus that we can and will improve further. We have considered the various alternatives for achieving that goal, and all of them have advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately our research has identified a move to distillate fuels as the preferred option and we are therefore backing it as the best way ahead.”
ENDS
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk
International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org
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