Following Spain and France, Italy has now voted for the creation of an ECA in the Mediterranean basin. Talking at the annual assembly of Italian shipowners association Confitarma, the Italian environment minister Sergio Costa, confirmed that the international register of ships will remain untouched (although is being reviewed by the European Commission), but also said: “We have to build up a shared road map to reach the 0.1% sulphur limit (along the Italian coasts) before someone else will force us to adopt it”.
The environment minister also underlined that “Italy is a country green shipping friendly” and further stated: “We have to study and share this green plan for shipping as quickly as possible otherwise we will risk to be disadvantaged on the competitive scenario”.
Sergio Costa also specified that Italy is actively working at ratifying the Ballast Water treatment convention and asked ship owners also the indicate the ministry in which ports GNL hub are needed for fuelling ships.
