Resumen de IMO regulation applied to the control of emissions on ships

Raúl Villa Caro, Julio Manuel Pernas Urrutia

• The 1973 international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (MARPOL) is concerned with preserving the marine environment by preventing pollution. Regarding the application of Annex VI on the control of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere, SOX emissions are generally controlled by limiting the sulphur content in fuel. Regarding the control of NOX emissions, a scope of application is established for marine diesel engines with power greater than 130 kW (except emergency engines), based on Tier I, II and III emission levels. To reduce the level of NOX emissions to Tier III, mandatory in ECA zones (“Emission Control Areas”), in addition to the combustion optimization processes corresponding to the Tier II level, the help of other technologies is required. This article tries to expose the problem of compliance with Annex VI (air pollution) in ships, reviewing the applicable regulations and the state of the art related to emission control technologies.