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<p>DFDS Seaways has announced the closure of two ferry routes (Harwich–Esbjerg and
Portsmouth–Le Havre) and has cited the sulphur regulations as a factor in the decision.
However, although DFDS Seaways made reference to the increased cost of marine fuel
that would follow the introduction of the new sulphur limit in both cases, its announcements
indicated that both routes had already been in decline because of other factors. The
Government is not aware of any other such announcements from other ferry operators
concerning route closures affecting UK ports.</p><p> </p><p>The Government published
a draft impact assessment in April 2014, as part of the public consultation on the
draft legislation. We received no detailed information from consultees about the likely
effect on seafarer numbers, either in general or specifically in the North Sea and
the English Channel, following the introduction of the 0.1% per cent sulphur limit.</p><p>
</p><p>Approval of an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) would be undertaken by the
vessel’s flag State in line with the internationally agreed guidelines developed by
the International Maritime Organization. To date, no UK registered ferries have been
fitted with type approved EGCS systems although the Government is aware of both ferries
and large passenger vessels that call at the UK that have been fitted with type approved
systems. Guidance for shipowners on EGCS has been developed by the Maritime and Coastguard
Agency (MCA) and consulted upon, with industry and others, and will be published alongside
the final Regulations shortly.</p><p> </p><p>Enforcement will be carried out by the
MCA as part of its existing enforcement activities, under a regime of proportionate
and targeted compliance surveys. The proposed Regulations would provide sanctions
for non-compliance. The MCA has discussed enforcement of the new requirements with
other Members of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding. The UK has also been active
in the European Sustainable Shipping Forum, established by the European Commission,
which is developing guidelines to help inspectors enforce the new requirements on
a consistent basis.</p><p> </p><p /> <p>The Government is looking at ways of helping
industry meet the new regulatory requirements. We have already been successful in
supporting shipowners and ports who applied for EU assistance under the Trans European
Network (TEN-T) programme to help purchase innovative technologies – including infrastructure
for liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering. I propose to take matters further and identify
additional options for financial assistance to the affected parts of the UK shipping
and ports industries. It is my intention that this should come both from domestic
and from EU sources, and I have instructed officials accordingly.</p><p /> <p> </p><p
/> <p>In particular, officials have already approached the European Commission to
investigate the scope for State Aid in respect of ferry routes which are deemed to
be vulnerable as a result of the new international and EU sulphur regime.</p><p> </p><p
/> <p /> <p> </p><p> </p>
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