NSW Premier Mike Baird has promised to align the state with global fuel sulphur content limits four years ahead of schedule if he is returned to office on 28 Mar.
The policy announced yesterday by Environment Minister Rob Stokes will require all cruise ships operating in NSW ports to use fuel with a maximum 0.1% sulphur content from 01 Jul 2016.
It comes three weeks after a parliamentary inquiry into emissions around the White Bay terminal declared its positioning as “a serious error” (CW 17 Feb).
The inquiry was spurred by residents around the terminal lodging complaints on the levels of fumes & pollution in the air and possible health consequences.
Stokes criticised the former Labor government for approving the positioning of the terminal at White Bay over Barangaroo, saying it “failed to regulate marine diesel emissions”.
“Ships in North America and Europe are required to use fuel with 0.1 per cent sulphur content, compared to shipping in Australia which can use up to 3.5 per cent sulphur content,” he said.
While the new policy is sure to be well received by residents, industry lobby group Tourism & Transport Forum said the cruise ship industry is being penalised for decisions by the former govt.
CEO Margy Osmond said the new mandatory standards were “out of the blue” and that the cruise ship industry cannot simply change fuels overnight, needing time to ensure adequate supplies.
“Neither party has explained how it intends to ensure that cruise ships have access to the necessary supplies of soon to be required low sulphur fuel which is currently unavailable in large quantities in Sydney,” she said.
Currently, ships staying overnight at White Bay are required to keep their engines on due to a lack of ship-to-shore power facilities.
“This type of decision making, designed as a ‘quick-fix’, is poor public policy and has created uncertainty for the cruise ship industry at the most popular destination for the sector,” Osmond added.
