EU Commission Communication, Commission Recommendation of 21.12.2009 on the safe implementation of the use of low sulphur fuel by ships at berth in Community ports C (2009) 10289, on the relaxation of the introduction of EU Directive 2005/33 is addressed to national governments of member states.

This means that the Swedish government can decide whether any relaxation in the legislation regarding a vessel in Swedish port that can not meet the requirement to use fuel with a maximum. 0.1% sulphur will be introduced.

The Swedish Transport Agency’s Maritime division is not aware of any change in the law is current. The following applies in Swedish ports until the government announces another.

EU Directive 2005/33 is addressed to EU Member State governments, which by law or regulation is expected to apply it in their own legislation. Four years ago, Sweden introduced the EU Directive into Swedish legislation through, Regulation (SFS 1998:946) on sulphur fuel, as last amended by Regulation 2006:1198.
According to § 12 of the Regulation, which came into force on 1 January 2010, will ship scheduled to be in port for more than two hours must not use a fuel that contains more than 0.1% sulphur. The fuel changeover should be made as soon as possible after arrival and as late as possible before departure. The current wording of the regulation leaves no room for interpretation. As the regulation is part of the Swedish Environmental Code the Swedish Transport Agency’s personnel are obligated to report any suspected violation to public prosecution.

Reduced fairway dues
The Swedish Maritime Administration aims at reducing the discharges of sulphur and nitric oxide. In the environmental differentiated fairway system the shipping company or the ship owner may get discounts on the fairway charges if measures to reduce discharges are taken.

A discount on the sulphur charge to be paid, based upon the environmental differentiated fairway charges, is obtainable only if the sulphur content in bunker oil (MGO, MDO and heavy fuel oil) does not exceed 0.50 %. Ships with a sulphur content of 0.20 % and below are exempted from sulphur charge. This is regulated in the Swedish Maritime Administration’s regulations (SJÖFS 1998:13) on provisions for environmental differentiated fairway charges.

Reduced fairway dues will be granted provided that the ship-owner attests and proves that the vessel is continualy is supplied with low-sulphur fuel.

Application for reduced fairway dues "Sulphur Oxide Reduction Attestation" can be found at the Swedish Maritime Administration's website.

* SECA = SOx Emission Control Area
The Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel are areas subject to sulphur control. By the Baltic Sea is understood all water areas in the Baltic Proper including the Bothnian Bay, the Gulf of Finland and the entrance to the Baltic Sea up to the parallel of latitude through Skagen (the Skaw) in Skagerrak at 57°44'.8N (including Lake Vänern and Lake Vättern). By the North Sea is meant the North Sea proper, limited in the north by latitude 62°N and in the west by longitude 4°V, in the east by Skagerrak to latitude through Skagen at 57°44'.8N and in the south limited at the English Channel by latitude 48°30'N and longitude 5°V.

** Twelve (12) nautical miles outside the base lines

More Info read