By: Nelson F. Coelho
PDF Version: Remarks on the European Parliament’s proposal to ban Heavy Fuel Oils in the Arctic
Decision commented on: European Parliament resolution of 16 March 2017 on an integrated European Union policy for the Arctic (2016/2228(INI)).
The carriage in bulk as cargo or carriage and use as fuel of heavy grade oils by ships in the Antarctic area (sea area south of latitude 60ºS) has been prohibited since 2011 under Regulation 43 of MARPOL Annex I, later amended to include use as ballast. Partly inspired by this measure, the European Parliament (EP) adopted, on March 16th 2017, a resolution on an integrated European Union (EU) policy for the Arctic. This resolution looks at many issues related to that region, one of them being the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in maritime transport.