Finnish forest sector concern over shipping fuel emissions limits

The Finnish Forest Industries Federation (FFIF) has expressed concern about strict shipping fuel sulphur emission limits planned for the Baltic Seas, North Sea and English Channel regions.

The International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) decision to cut sulphur content of shipping fuels in the regions to 0.1% by 2015 is sooner and more stringent than in other world regions, where the limit will be 0.5% (currently 4.5%) by the year 2025.

FFIF, which estimates a €200m negative effect from the new limits, called for the restrictions to be imposed simultaneously with other maritime regions.

“The IMO decision erodes the competitiveness of Finnish forest industry production facilities,” said a FFIF spokesperson.

“International political decisions should not be allowed to place countries in an uneven competitive position based solely on their geographical location.

“If the IMO sulphur decision enters into force in 2015, the Finnish forest-based sector will suffer an annual increase of about €200m in extra sea transport costs. Rival countries would face a substantially lower increase to their transport costs, and this would erode the competitiveness and operating environment of Finland's export sector.”

FFIF called on the new Finnish government to help and if necessary apply for a national exemption to the restrictions.