Europe calls for ban on heavy oil in Arctic
Date of publication: 03.02.2011

A resolution from the Committee on Foreign Affairs passed the European Parliament two weeks ago calls for a ban on heavy oil in Arctic waters. As Arctic shipping is boosting,  a newly adopted report from European Parliament stresses a need for ban on viscous oil onboard vessels to reduce risk to the environment. Heavy fuel oil is considered more environmentally hazardous than other marine fuel oils because it is slow to break down in the environment, particularly in icy Arctic waters and coastal areas, it said.

The Parliament underlined the major importance of safety and security as the new trade route develops from Europe to Asia through the Arctic. As the ice-cap melts due to the rapid climate changes, the world’s shipping industry is entering with full speed. When suggesting a ban on usage of heavy fuel oil, the European Parliament pointed to a similar ban in Antarctica to enter into force on 1st August this year. The heavy fuel oil ban in Antarctica is approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The Parliament recommended the European Commission and the Council, to coordinate EU and Member States’ policies on Arctic shipping safety with IMO and the Arctic Council. Meanwhile, the EU is striving to get a status of an observer at the Arctic Council, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule said in Strasbourg.  The Arctic Council was founded in 1996 to become a leading inter-governmental forum for discussing the issues of sustainable development and environment protection. The Council currently has eight countries on its members list: Russia, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Canada, the US, Finland and Sweden.

Source: New Europe S.A.