EU Commission Recommendation to EU Member States with regard to the initial enforcement of the use of 0.1% sulphur content fuel in port provision of the EU Sulphur Directive (Article 4b of Directive 2005/33/EC)

On 21st December, the EU Commission adopted a Recommendation on the safe implementation of the use of low sulphur fuel by ships at berth, which invites EU Member States, while enforcing the clause in the Sulphur Directive for use of 0.1% sulphur content fuel by ships at berth, to consider the existence of detailed evidence of the steps taken by ships to ensure safe compliance with Article 4b of Directive 1999/32/EC as amended by Directive 2005/33/EC with effect from 1 January 2010. Member States may consider the existence of an approved retrofit plan when assessing the degree of penalties to be applied to non-complying ships.