EU Directive on Low Sulphur Fuels - 1 September 2010 Approaching Fast!

Recommendation 2009/1020/EU was issued on 21 December 2009 by the European Commission in response to concerns that few vessels had undergone the necessary modifications to burn compliant fuel, and concerns that there were risks to safety if unmodified vessels burned compliant fuel in boilers not designed for the purpose. The Recommendation suggests Member States consider the existence of a class-approved retrofit plan when applying enforcement penalties. The Commission considers that completion of the retrofitting process should not take more than eight months.

The Recommendation is not binding on Member States. However, several have formally or informally indicated that they will follow it when enforcing the Directive. By way of example, Bremen, whilst not specifically following the Recommendation, has in its implementing law exempted vessels from burning compliant fuel other than for electricity generation, and exempted vessels berthing for less than two hours, even