A major cruise line says it will be switching to marine gas oil in future calls to Tasmania, an allowable option for vessels to comply with international emission requirements and where visible emissions are reduced.
The CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu of the Virgin Voyages cruise line says that the company has decided to switch to marine gas oil for future calls to Tasmania, as the use of marine gas oil does not require the Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) to be in operation, and therefore visible emissions are reduced.
“The use of marine gas oil does not require the EGCS to be in operation, and therefore visible emissions are reduced,” said the company’s chief executive, Nirmal Saverimuttu, on February 26, 2024 as a response to EPA.
Tasmania’s independent statutory environmental regulator, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) reports that regarding the concerns raised about visible emissions from cruise ship vessel Resilient Lady, the company has decided for future calls to Tasmania to switch to marine gas oil, an allowable option for vessels to comply with international emission requirements and where visible emissions are reduced.
As it is said by EPA “this is a goodwill and voluntary action by Virgin Voyages and not a regulatory requirement.”
As the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing the international shipping emission regulations adopted by Australia, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority has advised that their investigation has concluded that the ship is meeting its obligations and operating within established system and emission limit requirements for sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide. This does not mean that no emissions are expected from the cruise ship.
The EPA is not the regulator of the international emissions requirements so cannot investigate those matters, however, can still investigate general pollution matters in Tasmania.
Source: The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Tasmania.
