Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - July 1, 2024 - Campaigners have warned that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ban on heavy fuel oil (HFO) may not reduce the use of the polluting marine fuel for another five years.

The ban, adopted in 2021, aims to prevent devastating environmental impacts on the Arctic region and its wildlife.

However, environmental groups point to loopholes such as geographic scope, exemptions, and waivers, which mean many ships are still eligible to carry the fuel.

Half of the Arctic coastline is the responsibility of Russia, which has more than 800 ships in the waters and is not planning to implement the new regulation.

HFO is a viscous and polluting fuel oil that accounts for around 80% of marine fuel globally.

Its emissions and difficulty in cleaning up spills are significant environmental issues.

The International Council on Clean Transportation estimates that about 74% of ships currently using HFO can continue to do so under the new regulations.

Countries bordering the Arctic can issue exemptions or waivers in their territorial waters to ships from their countries.