Ecological and legal consequences in the use of propulsion fuels for decreasing sulfur content

Abstract

The author considers the ecological and legal consequences of the use of marine fuels with reduced sulfur content in the reduction of SO2 emissions from ships. Analyzing the efficaciously of the international and european legal instruments for the implementation of air protection, the author compares the solutions of Annex VI. MARPOL Convention with secondary EU legislation (Directive 1999/32/EC, Directive 2005/33/EC, Directive 2012/33/EC and Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/253) and the success of their transfer to the croatian legal system. Noting on the institutional framework of the international and european legislation author outlines valid international system of civil liability for bunker oil pollution damage from ships (regardless of the sulfur content of the fuel) according to solutions of the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001. With comprehensive analysis problems of practical application of marine fuel with reduced sulfur content it was considered the effect of harmonization with european environmental requirements to increase the cost of sea transport. The author emphasizes the unsustainability of transport system due to many years of 90% strength dependence of the maritime transport on oil, i.e. a non-renewable energy source and points to the use of alternative fuels.

Keywords

• marine fuels
• reduced sulphur content