Danish Fines for Fuel Sulphur Violations
Denmark’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported fines have been imposed on two vessels failing to comply with MARPOL Annex VI fuel sulphur regulations.
The two vessels recently received fines of DKK 375,000 (approx. US$56,000) and DKK 30,000 (US$4,500) for burning fuel oil with a sulphur content greater than 0.1% in the North Sea and Baltic Sea Emission Control Areas.
Danish authorities monitor compliance by not only taking fuel samples from vessels calling at Danish ports but also from the air using a ‘sniffer’ detector installed underneath the Great Belt Bridge. It is understood that activation of the sniffer alerts the Danish EPA. When the vessel reaches port the Danish Maritime Authority will board to take a fuel sample. If the vessel is on its way to a foreign port, the Danish EPA will advise the relevant authorities.
With regard to the size of the penalties, a spokesperson for the Danish EPA alluded to future increases. She stated “The size of fines isn’t cast in stone. In our opinion the fines should be higher for more serious or repeated violations”
More information available here.