EU Parliament promotes ban on heavy fuel oil in the Arctic
A new resolutions calls for the EU to work toward a ban on heavy fuel oil in the Arctic. (Photo: Charly Hengen, U.S. Coast Guard/Wikimedia Commons)
The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Environment committees urges the European Commission and member states to work towards banning the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in maritime transport.
The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Environment committees urges the European Commission and member states to work towards banning the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in maritime transport.
If the international community cannot agree on a ban, the resolutions call for the EU to take measures to prohibit the use and carriage of HFO for vessels calling at EU ports.
Experts believe that global warming will lead to an increase in Arctic shipping. An EU ban of heavy fuel oil would require all vessels sailing via European ports to opt for other types of fuel. Environmental organizations have long advocated banning the use of heavy fuel oil in the Arctic due to the high emission levels and risks associated with spills in Arctic waters.
The resolution will be put to a vote by the full House on 2 March.