ANNEX : VI Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships
Entered into force on 19 May 2005
MARPOL Annex VI aim progressive reduction globally in emissions of SOx, NOx and
particulate matter and the introduction of emission control areas (ECAs) to reduce emissions
of those air pollutants further in designated sea areas.
Effects of Air Pollution :-
1. Acid Rains
2. Human Health Concers
3.Ozone Depletion
4.Global Warming
NOx
1.The NOx emission limits of Regulation 13 of MARPOL Annex VI apply to each marine diesel
engine with a power output of more than 130 kW installed on a ship.
2.A marine diesel engine is defined as any reciprocating internal combustion engine operating
on liquid or dual fuel.
3.There are two exceptions: engines used solely for emergencies and engines on a ships
operating solely within the waters of the state in which they are flagged.
The later exception only applies if these engines are subject to an alternative NOx
control measure.
4.NOx emission limits are set for diesel engines depending on the engine maximum operating
speed (n, rpm),Tier I and Tier II limits are global, while the Tier III standards apply only in
NOx Emission Control Areas.
Tier II standards are expected to be met by combustion process optimization.
The parameters examined by engine manufacturers include fuel injection timing, pressure,
and rate (rate shaping), fuel nozzle flow area, exhaust valve timing, and cylinder compression
volume.
Tier III standards are expected to require dedicated NOx emission control technologies such as
various forms of water induction into the combustion process
(with fuel, scavenging air, or in-cylinder), exhaust gas recirculation,
or selective catalytic reduction.
SOx
Annex VI regulations include caps on sulfur content of fuel oil as a measure to control SOx
emissions and, indirectly, PM emissions (there are no explicit PM emission limits).
Special fuel quality provisions exist for SOx Emission Control Areas (SOx ECA or SECA).
The sulfur limits and implementation dates are listed
Heavy fuel oil (HFO) is allowed provided it meets the applicable sulfur limit.
Alternative measures are also allowed (in the SOx ECAs and globally) to reduce
sulfur emissions, such as through the use exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), aka scrubbers.
For example, in lieu of using the 0.5% S fuel (2020), ships can fit an exhaust gas cleaning
system or use any other technological method to limit SOx emissions to </ 6 g/kWh (as SO2).
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In April 2018, the IMO adopted an Initial Strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from
ships, with a target to reduce the total annual GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2050
compared to 2008.
The strategy calls for strenghtening the EEDI requirements and a number of other measures to
reduce emissions, such as operational efficiency measures, further speed reductions, measures
to address CH4 and VOC emissions, alternative low-carbon and zero carbon fuels, as well as
market-based measures (MBM).
MARPOL Annex VI, Chapter 4 introduces two mandatory mechanisms intended to ensure an
energy efficiency standard for ships:
(1) the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), for new ships, and
(2) the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships.
* The EEDI is a performance-based mechanism that requires a certain minimum energy
efficiency in new ships. Ship designers and builders are free to choose the technologies to
satisfy the EEDI requirements in a specific ship design.
* The SEEMP establishes a mechanism for operators to improve the energy efficiency of ships.
The regulations apply to all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above and enter into force from
1 January 2013.
Other Provisions
Ozone Depleting Substances.
Annex VI prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting
substances, which include halons and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
New installations containing ozone-depleting substances are prohibited on all ships.
But new installations containing hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are permitted
until 1 January 2020.
Annex VI also prohibits the incineration on board ships of certain products,
such as contaminated packaging materials and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Special Areas :-
Emission Control Areas. Two sets of emission and fuel quality requirements are defined by
Annex VI:
(1) global requirements, and
(2) more stringent requirements applicable to ships in Emission Control Areas (ECA).
An Emission Control Area can be designated for SOx and PM, or NOx, or all three types of
emissions from ships, subject to a proposal from a Party to Annex VI.
Existing Emission Control Areas include:
1. Baltic Sea (SOx: adopted 1997 / entered into force 2005; NOx: 2016/2021)
2. North Sea (SOx: 2005/2006; NOx: 2016/2021)
3. North American ECA, including most of US and Canadian coast (NOx & SOx: 2010/2012).
4. US Caribbean ECA, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands
(NOx & SOx: 2011/2014).
