SAFETY: Air Pollution Control in Canada

Pollution: Vessel Air Emission

Transport Canada (TC) has issued a Ship Safety Bulletin, listing interim measures aimed at meeting requirements of the North American Emission Control Areas (ECA). The TC Bulletin has advised crewmembers to maintain air emissions standards while entering Canadian waters. If a vessel fails to do so, Marine Safety Inspectors will ask the Master to exit Canadian waters. The same is applicable if sulphur content in the fuel is found to be greater than 1%, followed by a 0.1% limit in 2015. The proposed regulations would also implement a regime to control air emissions from Canadian vessels in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence waters. This bulletin applies to all ships over 400 gross tonnage that are subject to the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations. According to the Transport Canada Policy, International Air Pollution Prevention Certificates held by any vessel over 400 gross tonnage will be examined. Moreover, bunker delivery notes of any vessel over 400 gross tonnage which stipulate the sulphur content of fuel delivered to the vessel will also be examined. The average of 1.5% sulphur in the fuel used by the fleet should be met by the vessels using a range of conventional fuels over that time, alternative fuels, or emission control technology.