Ship fuels to get greener 

The sulphur (SO2) content of heavy fuels used in large ships is to be reduced to 1.5% by 2007 after Parliament agreed to a compromise with Council on the marine fuels directive. This figure is to be brought down to 0.1% from 2010 in port areas where ships will be required to switch off their engines and use shore-side electricity.

MEPs in the environment committee had initially called for further reductions to be introduced in 2010 (EurActiv, 16 March 2005). But the prospect of lengthy negotiations with reluctant member states in the Council dissuaded them from insisting. 

Instead, the Commission will review progress made in 2008 and promised to push for further reductions in future negotiations with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). "I do believe that EU countries can and must do more to build on today's success," commented Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas in a statement. Seventeen EU countries have still not signed up to the IMO Convention on Air Pollution, Mr Dimas pointed out.