Several of the world's leading carriers have now founded the Trident Alliance, which will work to ensure that the new sulphur regulations - set to come into force in six months - will be enforced by the authorities. The alliance has spent a long time on the drawing board and has, as of today, become a reality, says one of the founding members of the alliance, J. Lauritzen, in a statement.

The new alliance currently consists of 11 carriers, including Stena, Maersk, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, Unifeeder, UECCm Rickmers-Linie, Höegh Autoliners, American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier, Torvald Klaveness, Eukor Car Carriers Inc. and J. Lauritzen.

Read more about the alliance here

J. Lauritzen CEO Jan Kastrup Nielsen says the following in the statement about the new collaboration:

"I am pleased that the alliance has been founded and that J. Lauritzen from the beginning is part of this important initiative to work for effective enforcement of sulphur regulations thus securing a level competitive playing field while supporting the environmental benefits intended by the legislators," he says.

Do you want to stay up to date on the latest developments in International shipping? Subscribe to our newsletter – the first 40 days are free

The new sulphur regulations in Northern Europe have led to significant concerns in the industry, especially because it appears that the authorities are working with completely different approaches to ensuring that carriers comply with the rules.

Significant sums of money can be saved by opting not to switch to the new and more environmental MGO, which forms one way to comply with the new regulations, according to several industry players.

Not a coffee club

Norwegian Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics came up with the idea for the alliance, which met in May in Copenhagen at a meeting facilitated by Maersk, the first carrier to publicly voice support for the alliance.

Following the meeting in Copenhagen, Roger Strevens, Vice President and Global Head of Environment at Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, told ShippingWatch that the parties agreed in principle to establish the alliance, after which they would present the basis for the collaboration at the respective companies.

EU countries agree to better sulphur control

"The meeting in Copenhagen was highly constructive and everyone agrees that the Trident Alliance is the right tool to handle this challenge. None of us want to see this evolve into a coffee club. This is an initiative that will get the work done."

Organizations trying to postpone sulphur regulations

Support for drones in fight against sulphur fraud

12 of the world's largest carriers ready with environmental alliance

EU Commissioner supports Trident Alliance