Norway Talking Heavy Fuel Oil Ban In Svalbard By 2022 As IMO Keeps Dragging Its Feet

[hatrack]

The Norwegian government is finalizing plans for a ban of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the waters around the Svalbard archipelago. The use of HFO has been outlawed in the waters of Svalbard’s national park since 2015, but this proposed ban would significantly expand the area in which the use of HFO will be prohibited.

This expanded ban could come into effect as early as 1 January 2022.

The policy initiative comes in light of growing vessel traffic around the archipelago, especially from cruise ships. “A spill of heavy oil will be catastrophic for nature and the environment. But it will also have an impact on the reputation of tourism in Svalbard. Therefore, we must do everything we can to prevent the unthinkable,” says Minister of Climate and Environment Sveinung Rotevatn to NRK.

EDIT

While HFO is not the most frequently used type of fuel in the Arctic – distillate marine fuel oils are the most common – it is by far the most dangerous to the environment. Heavy fuel oil is the heaviest and most viscous type of residual fuel oil which in case of an accidental spill would be very difficult to clean up in the Arctic. It also produces a lot of soot, or Black Carbon, when it is burned in a ship’s engine. Black Carbon is especially harmful in the Arctic where it can settle on and increase the melt rate of sea ice.

EDIT

https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/norway-announces-plans-hfo-ban-around-svalbard-leapfrogging-proposed-imo-regulation

[Turbineguy]

1. Smart.

HFO these days is sometimes heavier than water. It burns dirty too. But it's much cheaper than distillate.