Trump administration wants phase-in of UN rules on maritime fuel

World 10:04 20.10.2018

The United States supports an experience building phase, which has been proposed by several other countries, in IMO 2020, a White House spokesperson said. (Representational image)

The Trump administration wants pollution limits on ship fuels that a United Nations maritime agency will implement in 2020 to be phased in to protect consumers from any price spikes in heating and trucking fuels, a White House spokesman said on Friday.

Under the International Maritime Organization rule, ships cannot use fuels with more than 0.5 percent of sulfur, compared with 3.5 percent now, unless equipped with so-called scrubbers limiting the emissions. The rule will be enforced through fines levied by IMO member states.

The IMO said last month it would not delay implementation after some shipping groups as well as the Bahamas, Panama, Liberia and the Marshall Islands supported a phased-in implementation of the rules.

If refiners are unprepared for the changes, some analysts have said, prices for related fuels, such as diesel and heating oil, could rise. A spike in fuel prices ahead of the 2020 elections would be a political risk for Trump.

“The United States supports an experience building phase, which has been proposed by several other countries, in IMO 2020 in order to mitigate the impact of precipitous fuel cost increases on consumers,” the White House spokesman said.

The administration was not seeking a delay of the rules, the spokesman said. A phase-in would mean that the rule would not have to be fully complied with until a later unspecified date.

Jason Bordoff, founding director of Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy policy, and a former White House adviser on energy to former U.S. President Barack Obama indicated that a phase-in would be unnecessary.

Reducing emissions from ships brings “HUGE” health benefits and the industry has known about the upcoming rules for “YEARS,” Bordoff tweeted. Many U.S. refineries and shippers have already spent billions of dollars on preparing for cleaner fuel, and the rules already have opportunities for waivers, he added.

“The administration wants to ensure that IMO 2020 occurs in a manner that is not harmful to consumers and the global economy,” the White House spokesman said. His comments were first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Analysts at Energy Aspects were skeptical the Trump administration could change the process. “Given that the IMO rulemaking process takes nearly two years to run its course, it is unclear how any proposed phased implementation could be accomplished at an international level,” analyst Robert Campbell wrote.

 

Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO

News line

Hikmat Hajiyev: Baku attaches great importance to developing Azerbaijan-China relations
Hikmat Hajiyev: Baku attaches great importance to developing Azerbaijan-China relations
14:30 19.03.2024
Tourist flow to Azerbaijan soars by almost 50%
Tourist flow to Azerbaijan soars by almost 50%
14:15 19.03.2024
Manager of German club achieves another milestone
13:55 19.03.2024
Turkish intelligence neutralizes one of PKK leaders
Turkish intelligence neutralizes one of PKK leaders
13:45 19.03.2024
Moldova’s Foreign Ministry to expel Russian Embassy employee
Moldova’s Foreign Ministry to expel Russian Embassy employee
13:30 19.03.2024
Azerbaijan weather forecast for March 20
13:13 19.03.2024
Israel, Hamas ready to compromise at Doha talks
13:05 19.03.2024
More than dozen workers trapped in one of Russia's largest gold mines
More than dozen workers trapped in one of Russia's largest gold mines
12:49 19.03.2024
Armenia may face a war if refuses to discuss border issues - Pashinyan
12:22 19.03.2024
North Korea holds firing drill using super-large multiple rocket launchers
North Korea holds firing drill using super-large multiple rocket launchers
11:55 19.03.2024
Fenerbahçe to discuss withdrawing from 'Super Lig'
11:32 19.03.2024
Azerbaijani police found numerous weapons and ammunition in Khankandi
11:08 19.03.2024
US Maritime Administration issues new advisory amid rising maritime threats in Middle East
10:55 19.03.2024
EU looks forward to cooperation with Azerbaijan for successful COP29
10:38 19.03.2024
EU to impose tariffs on Russian grain
10:11 19.03.2024
Embassy of Azerbaijan in France appeals to Azerbaijanis
10:00 19.03.2024
Azerbaijani oil price exceeds $88
Azerbaijani oil price exceeds $88
09:48 19.03.2024
Mehriban Aliyeva makes post on Last Tuesday before Novruz Holiday
09:35 19.03.2024
Pashinyan: Delimitation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan entered practical stage
09:00 19.03.2024
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
20:39 18.03.2024
EU to boost military support fund for Ukraine by EUR 5 bln — Hungarian foreign minister
20:00 18.03.2024
Industrial zones to be created in Azerbaijan’s Zangilan, Jabrayil, and Gubadli
19:16 18.03.2024
Reuters: Only an oil slump can stop Russia
19:00 18.03.2024
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
18:33 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates people of Azerbaijan on occasion of Novruz holiday - UPDATED
18:00 18.03.2024
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
17:47 18.03.2024
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
17:28 18.03.2024
Armenia’s anti-Russian policy reaches new level
17:11 18.03.2024
"The Middle Corridor plays a key role for Green Energy" - Expert Ali Pasha
16:45 18.03.2024
Central square of Khankandi named “Victory Square”
16:22 18.03.2024
President: We demonstrated tremendous heroism during the II Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation
16:16 18.03.2024
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus visited IEPF - PHOTOS - VIDEO
16:00 18.03.2024
Historic opportunity emerged to advance the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace agenda - FM Bayramov
15:21 18.03.2024
Bayramov and Stoltenberg discuss normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia
15:03 18.03.2024
Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO
14:58 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg's visit to the Caucasus: "NATO is in panic" - OPİNİON
14:29 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
14:00 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg concludes his official visit to Azerbaijan
13:42 18.03.2024
Geomagnetic storm expected on March 20
13:33 18.03.2024
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
13:19 18.03.2024
Hamısı