In response to the passing of the resolution by the EU Parliament, on international ocean governance in the context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, Dr Sian Prior,
lead advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance, said:
“The Clean Arctic Alliance welcomes the adoption of the European Parliament Resolution on international ocean governance, and in particular its commitment towards ending the use of heavy fuel oil and its carriage in fuel tanks in Arctic shipping. The EU parliament’s position is further evidence that heavy fuel oil use in the Arctic is no longer acceptable – its presence in the Antarctic has been prohibited for some years, and last year the International Maritime Organization began moves towards its phase out. It is now imperative that the risks associated with burning HFO and carrying HFO fuel are eliminated in the Arctic.”
“The decision by the IMO last summer to start a new work process to address HFO risks to the Arctic was a good step in the right direction. But the success of this process will be judged by its speedy outcome. The collision and ensuing environmental disaster in the East China Sea in the past two weeks is yet another reminder that ships are not immune against accidents. Taking stock of this unfortunate event, the IMO must expedite the work on addressing HFO risks in the Arctic with the view of banning it for on-board use and carriage in fuel tanks”: said Faig Abbasov, shipping officer at Transport & Environment, member of Clean Arctic Alliance.