The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has rejected a proposal submitted by Turkey and the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) that sought to mitigate the impact on the yachting industry caused by Tier III regulation.
Turkey and ICOMIA proposed an alternative standard for vessels currently covered under a delay provision which expires in 2021. Meeting this standard results in reduced guest cabin space as gas exhaust treatment systems have to be installed.
The consequence of this could render yachts just above the 24m threshold commercially unattractive, a segment that ICOMIA considers crucial for the marine industry.
A hard fight
Udo Kleinitz, secretary general of ICOMIA said that the council fought hard to advocate for the industry. “Having been involved with this file for the last 11 years, at this stage it is difficult to capture the impact this decision will have on vessel design, let alone our industry,” he said.
“We are most grateful to those IMO member states who supported our proposal and would like to mention in particular Turkey for co-sponsoring this document and the associated lobbying efforts, as well as Malta for their efforts on the European stage.
“I also would like to thank the yards who supported our advocacy effort, namely Ferretti Group, Overmarine, Monte Carlo Yachts, Princess Yachts, Sanlorenzo Yachts, Sunseeker and Viking Yachts,” he added.
Despite ICOMIA’s significant efforts the proposal was rejected, meaning that the regulation will be implemented from 2021 for vessels below 500gt, with significant implications for the superyacht industry.
A description of Tier III
During MEPC 71, the IMO adopted Resolution MEPC.286(71), amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, introducing two new NOx Emission Control Areas (ECAs). These two new NOx ECAs – the Baltic Sea and the North Sea – will be enforced for ships constructed (keel laying) on or after 1 January 2021, or existing ships which replace an engine with “non-identical” engines, or install an “additional” engine.
Advice to shipowners and ship managers
Shipowners and ship managers who are placing orders for newbuild ships intending to trade in these areas, whose keels will be laid on or after 1 January 2021, should ensure that compliant engines are supplied – i.e. Tier III engines or Tier II/III engines under Regulation 13 of MARPOL Annex VI (Tier II/Tier III engines being capable of operating at Tier II status outside of NOx ECAs and Tier III status when the ship is operating within a NOx ECA).
The boundaries of the Baltic Sea and North Sea ECAs are described in Regulation 1.11.2 of MARPOL Annex I and Regulation 1.14.6 of MARPOL Annex V respectively.