Background Section 2
15.Section 2 of the Act provides for the United Kingdom to implement internationally agreed measures to reduce emissions of air pollution from ships.
16.Annex VI was introduced into the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (the MARPOL Convention) by the Protocol of 1997. The object of Annex VI and the Technical Code on Control of Emission of Nitrogen Oxides from Marine Diesel Engines (NOx Technical Code) referred to in Annex VI is to control, on an international basis, emissions to the atmosphere from ships and offshore installations.
17.Annex VI provides for all relevant ships to be certified, maintained and operated in accordance with Annex VI and the NOx Technical Code. It limits the sulphur content of fuel used on board ships in a Sulphur Oxides Emission Control Area.
18.The MARPOL Convention is an International Maritime Organization treaty. The United Kingdom acceded to the Protocol of 1997 on 5 August 2004 and Annex VI entered into international force in May 2005.