PPR 6: IMO Member States Must Stay Focussed on Arctic Heavy Fuel Oil Ban

An Arctic Heavy Fuel Oil Ban, The Story So Far

As a meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 6) opens today in London, the Clean Arctic Alliance called on Member States to remain focussed to the goal of developing a ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil by shipping in the Arctic.

Infographic: An Arctic Heavy Fuel Oil Ban: The Story So Far

The Arctic HFO Ban: The Story So Far

Given the severe risks associated with HFO, the international shipping community banned its use and carriage by ships around Antarctica in 2011. A ban on HFO in the Arctic was considered in 2013 during the deliberations on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Polar Code, but while some member states were supportive, no consensus was reached. In April 2018, agreement was reached to develop a ban. Now, in 2019, with an Arctic HFO ban on the way – and this infographic charts the progress so far.