EU parliament approves sulphur directive
A directive on sulphur emissions from shipping proposed by Finnish Green MEP Satu Hassi has been approved by the European parliament.
The directive restricts the sulphur content of fuel used in the shipping industry to 0.1 percent in the waters off Finland.
The Baltic Sea is classified as a Sulphur Emission Control Area under the directive, which means stricter limits than for waters in southern Europe.
The new limit for the Baltic Sea, set at a tenth of current levels, will come into force in 2015. In EU waters outside the Sulphur Emission Control Areas, a limit of 0.5 percent will apply from 2020.
Although Finnish industry has criticised the directive for the costs it will impose on exporters, proponents say that it will save tens of thousands of lives.
“Highly polluting shipping fuels have a serious impact on the environment but also on public health: air pollution from ships is estimated to cause 50,000 premature deaths per year in Europe,” said Hassi, who acted as the parliament’s rapporteur on the matter, in a statement on her website.
Opportunity for Finnish companies?
The directive could also benefit some Finnish factories. Wärtsilä is a leading producer of so-called 'scrubbers' that remove the sulphur from emissions before they enter the atmosphere.
Jorma Kämäräinen of the Finnish Transport Safety Agency estimates that around a third of vessels affected by the legislation will fit scrubbers, while the remainder will switch to low-sulphur fuel.
In its latest budget proposal, the government has allocated 30 million euros to help shipowners fit their vessels with scrubbers. Each unit costs between 2-5 million euros.
Jyri Häkämies, the Minister of Economic Affairs, says that the government will investigate ways to support exporters hit by increased costs while complying with EU competition rules.
Latest in: News
Researcher: Bullying should be nipped in the bud
Research shows that small children don’t have an inherent tendency to bully their peers, but learn the practice from others.
Met man: Monster tornado also possible in Finland
A meteorologist and storm chaser says that the kind of tornado that recently killed dozens of people in Oklahoma in the USA, is also possible in Finland. Finland suffered extensive destruction in a series of massive twisters that struck in 1932.
Workers' tax badge rule sees flood of registrations
In an effort to combat illegal labour practices, Finland’s tax authorities introduced a requirement for workers in the construction industry to register by way of individual tax numbers to be displayed on a badge. Authorities say that thousands of new workers are emerging as a result, with tax badges being assigned to carpenters, security guards and even cooks on the same construction site.
Lottery lands toilet tissue company in the can
Finland’s Consumer Ombudsman has taken the manufacturer of the well-known Lotus brand of toilet tissue to court for aggressive marketing. The company has offered consumers who buy its toilet paper a chance to win a 100,000-euro jackpot prize. However the chances of actually winning are paper-thin: just one in 2.4 billion.
Tax badges may be introduced for cleaners, too
This spring, tax badges became obligatory for builders -- and cleaning staff could be next.
Talvivaara mine stains river orange
The mine has been involved in a string of environmental mishaps -- and PR fiascos -- for more than six months.
Moomin ceramics tempt shoplifters
Police say that housewares depicting the denizens of Moominvalley are in high demand -- including among thieves.
Finland ranks mid-table in EU beach cleanliness
Finland ranks among the EU’s top 10 countries when it comes to purity of bathing waters – but just barely.
April unemployment at 8.8%
The unemployment rate in Finland declined slightly in April to 8.8%, down from March, but still higher than a year previously.
Company exploiting foreign workers up for Helsinki contract
Work-safety inspections this year at about 20 small and medium-sized cleaning companies that employ immigrant workers have discovered problems at every firm checked. Yle has found that the City of Helsinki is considering contracting services from a company that was determined to have employment rules violations.
