The future climate requirements for the existing fleet – not just the new fleet – will be addressed in the proposal by the EU Commission, which is scheduled for presentation early next year. Danish Maritime stated recently that the climate effect of the CO2 requirements is way too poor if the rules only apply to newbuildings.

“The most important factor is that the requirements apply to all ships globally, and as such, the future climate requirements must be adopted by the IMO. Another important priority is that the EU Commission’s proposal, which we expect will be presented early next year, can be expanded to cover other countries and regions in the world. We should keep in mind that the adoption of the design requirements and the tools for environmental guidance in July 2011 was a major political achievement, in which the Danish authorities, and others, participated with great efforts,” says Maria Bruun Skipper, chief consultant at the Danish Shipowners’ Association.