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Reducing harmful ship emissions that affect the climate and public health.
Te whakaheke i ngā putanga haukino e raru ai te hauora o te tangata i ngā kaipuke.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) in 1973. MARPOL aims to prevent and minimise ship pollution in the marine environment and is the primary international regulation for addressing the impacts of climate change on shipping — 94 other countries representing 97% of world tonnage are party to it. There are 6 annexes categorised by pollution type. Annex VI seeks to limit air pollution from ships around ports and harbours. It came into force in 2005.
If a country becomes party to MARPOL, then MARPOL applies to ships registered to that state, wherever they operate. New Zealand joined MARPOL in 1998 and is party to 4 of the 6 annexes. After consultation in 2018–19, the Government announced that New Zealand would sign up to Annex VI from late 2021, taking into account the time required to align domestic legislation with obligations under Annex VI.
New Zealand is currently finalising its domestic legislation alignment in order to deposit the instrument of accession with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) so it can accede to MARPOL Annex VI.
The instrument of accession is now expected to be deposited in April 2022. The Government had originally signalled that New Zealand would become a party to MARPOL Annex VI in late 2021, but this has been delayed due to COVID-19 disruptions.
New marine protection rules that reflect Annex VI will come into force three months after the date that the instrument of accession is deposited with the IMO. By complying with these new rules you will be benefiting the marine and costal environment as well as human health.
As soon as the new rules come into effect, New Zealand ships will join ships from many other countries in using either low sulphur fuels or an approved way of reducing emissions from using higher sulphur fuels. This will have an immediate positive impact.
Other requirements include limits on nitrogen oxide emissions from many installed ship engines over 130 kW, controls on ozone depleting substances and restrictions on the incineration of waste. Ships 400 GT or more are required to reduce overall carbon emissions through more energy efficient ship design and operations. Implementing these changes will be good for our coastal communities and the marine and coastal environment.
The rules will be available soon and Maritime New Zealand will publish guidance on how and when to comply with them at www.maritimenz.govt.nz(external link)
The Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Bill had its first reading on 1 June 2021 and now the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee is calling for submissions.
Maritime NZ will be consulting for four weeks, until 5.00pm Wednesday 4 August 2021, to give interested stakeholders and members of the public an opportunity to provide feedback
Cabinet approved in principle New Zealand becoming a party to Annex VI, and the Government agreed to an expected implementation date of late 2021. This means Annex VI will come into force in New Zealand 3 months later.
The consultation focused on how acceding to the treaty would benefit New Zealand by protecting trade interests, promoting the interests of Pacific Island countries, improving both public health and New Zealand’s influence on climate policy, and making it easier for New Zealand-flagged ships to travel to other countries already signed up to Annex VI. It also noted the potential costs.