France: New CO2 Emission Regulations

3840

France

For all vessels calling in ports of France, new CO2 emission regulations (EU) 2015/757 shall be applicable.

As an outcome of negotiations between the European Parliament and the European Council on rules for monitoring, reporting and checking CO2 emissions from vessels, a new regulation namely, the (EU) 2015/757 has been arrived at.  On April 29th, 2015, an amendment to the directive 9009/16/EC was adopted and has come into force since 1st July 2015.

The Regulation will apply to vessels of 5,000 GT and above and the obligation to monitor CO2 of voyage regardless of flag.  This new regulatory law shall come to force from 1 January 2018.  All such vessels shall have to monitor and report their CO2 emissions on a per-voyage, as well as an annual basis.  The monitoring will apply whilst at an EU berth or moving within an EU port.

The plan for implementation is as follows:

  • By 31st August 2017- monitoring plan to be prepared and submitted for approval by an accredited verifier.
  • 1st January 2018- commence pre-voyage and annual monitoring reports.
  • 2019 onwards – on or before 30th April of each year, prepare and submit a verified emission report to the EC and relevant flag state.
  • 30th June 2019 onwards – ships will need to carry a valid document of compliance relating to relevant reporting period.
  • 30th June each year – EC will make each ship’s emission reports publicly available including information specific to each ship’s fuel consumption, CO2 emission, technical efficiency and other parameters.

In the first phase, external verifiers shall, after inspection, issue documents of compliance to each ship that shall  be kept on board the vessel.  Ships will have to submit a monitoring plan or system they plan to follow to the verifier before 31 August 2017.

All EU member states will have to set up a penalty system, in case of defaulters or non-compliance.

Earlier, the European regulation 525/2013 had omitted provision of CO2 information or declarations pertaining to shipping industry, which has now been covered by this new regulation. However, this should not be construed that compliance or no CO2 information declaration would be required until 2018.

Source: Lewis & Co AARPI