One of the recent hot news topics was the UN ban imposed on the use and transportation of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the Arctic. Public attention was mostly focused on the fact that Russia didn't join this restriction and will therefore continue using HFO for shipping. However, another problem slipped almost unnoticed. The imposed law has too many loopholes even for those countries that joined the restriction, rendering it less effective in addressing the HFO situation.
The primary issue with heavy fuel oil is its density and viscosity. When the oil contaminates ice or water, it is much harder to clean than in other oceans using classic 'anti-oil' instruments like booms and skimmers.
Some effects of heavy fuel oil on the environment when black carbon is emitted into the air, or the substance contacts water or ice include:
1. Increasing the speed of thawing.
2. Releasing toxins for longer periods of time (decades).
3. Endangering the food chains in a contaminated area.
First of all, the ban makes exceptions for vessels with better-protected tanks as there are lesser risks of spills. This is quite logical, but the total number of exempted ships equals almost three quarters!
Thus, the current version of the ban covers only 16% of HFO used as fuel and 30% of transported HFO. These exceptions will remain in effect until July 1st, 2029.
There may also be an aftermath that bears more danger. Countries may be trying to circumvent the law and use cheap alternatives to HFO. There are several ways in the market to do that:
1. Using Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) and Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (ULSFO) instead. Or a combination of both an ‘eco-friendly’ fuel and heavy fuel oil like we have written previously.
2. Adding paraffins to HFO, making the fuel lighter so it wouldn't classify as banned.
Both options are not better in terms of preventing climate change and might have a worse effect on the fragile environment of the region. Environmentalists point out that VLSFO and ULSFO might create oil clumps that spread in a solid state, covering wider areas. In effect, the law almost doesn't change the current ecological situation and might even make it worse.
In Russia, there have been ideas on expanding the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and methanol as fuel alternatives, but these have not progressed much beyond the conceptual stage due to the insufficient number of LNG-powered vessels.
The Editorial Board of the Arctic Century
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