Finland develops action plan to reduce shipping emissions

According to Minister of Transport and Communication Anne Berner, the negotiations on actions for reducing emissions must be initiated the soonest, and if possible in 2019.

For this reason, the actions include short-term measures for cutting emissions, starting at the earliest before 2023.

According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute's estimate, emissions from shipping account for 11-13%t of global GHG emission in the transport sector. For Finland, the shipping emissions constitute 4% of all transport emissions.

In addition, maritime plastic litter is becoming an increasingly worrying theme. Finland will also prepare an action plan to address the plastic litter issue.

"Finland will be very actively involved in the finalisation of the greenhouse gas emission strategy for shipping and selection of measures for reducing the emissions."

Anne Berner said.

In order to reduce emissions, actions will include improving energy efficiency of ships, research and development activities and the introduction of alternative fuels.

On the upside, the maritime sulphur emissions have reduced significantly on the Baltic Sea and the North Sea since the sulphur limitations entered into force in 2015. Namely, the nitrogen emissions of new ships will also be limited on the Baltic Sea and the North Sea as from 2021, Minister Berner added.