The German Maritime LNG Platform extended support to the Clean Arctic Alliance calling for a ban on heavy fuel oil (HFO) use in Arctic shipping, by signing the Arctic Commitment.
The Clean Arctic Alliance is a coalition of international non-governmental organizations that launched the Arctic Commitment in January 2017.
The German partner of the alliance is the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU).
“By switching to less-polluting alternatives to HFO, such as LNG, the shipping industry has a real opportunity to lead the path away from the use of heavy fuel oil and towards a sustainable future, before a ban is considered by the IMO,” Sian Prior , lead advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance said.
She added that the German LNG Maritime LNG Platform’s support comes at a critical time for the alliance as IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee is set to take place in July.
Tessa Rodewaldt , managing director of the platform, added that “shipping needs to become more sustainable and international regulation on shipping emissions is increasing, for the better.”
Such regulations must also apply to the Arctic region, which is particularly fragile, she said.
The German Maritime LNG Platform is an interest coalition of nearly 100 members and partners from the maritime sector both in Germany and abroad. Its objective is the establishment of a cleaner and more sustainable shipping sector through the use of LNG to reduce pollutant emissions, such as SOx, NOx, CO2 and particulate matter (PM).