In January 2016, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) tightened the regulations on the amount of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from ships’ fuel by introducing the Tier III standard.

According to the new rules, ships that were keel-laid post that date and are operating in the Nitrogen Emission Control Areas (NECAs) should emit 80% less NOx vs. Tier I levels. Currently, only waters around North America are subjected to the new requirements. However, in mid-2016 the HELCOM countries submitted their application to designate the Baltic Sea as a NECA and shortly thereafter the IMO gave its consent to this proposal.

NOx Tier III on the Baltic horizon, by Anna Rzhevkina

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