Air Pollution from ships affect the natural environment in negative ways such as acid rain.

Pollution can cause smog and aggravate asthma. MARPOL is the main international agreement covering all types of pollution from ships. Pollution from ships effects not only citizens living along the coast, but also societies that lie hundreds of miles inland. At the current rate, NOx emissions from ships are projected to more than double to 2.1 million tons a year while annual PM2.5 emissions are expected to almost triple to 170,000 tons a year by 2030. MARPOLs Annex VI is part of a protocol that was adopted in 1997 under the cover of Resolution 2 to reduce air pollution from ships. It comprises of engine-based and fuel-based standards. However, this was not entered into effect until May 19, 2005. The point of this Annex is to set limits on Sulfur Oxide and Nitrogen Oxide emissions from ship exhausts. It prohibits the deliberate emissions of ozone-depleting substances like halons and chloroflurocarbons. It also prohibits the incineration of certain products like contaminated packing materials and polychlorinated biphenyls. This includes a global cap of 4.5% m/m on the sulfur content in fuel. Certain SOx Emission Control Areas (SECAs) have more stringent controls. In these places, sulfur content cannot be above 1.5% m/m. To implement this rule, the International Maritime Organization is called upon to monitor the worldwide average sulfur content in fuel. The Baltic Sea Area was designated as a SECA in the protocol. More recently, in July 2005, the North Sea was adopted as another SECA. Ships following this provision must have an exhaust cleaning system or use another method to limit SOx emissions. This protocol also sets limits on emissions of NOx from diesel engines. Specifically, this limits emissions from marine diesel engines with a power output greater than 130 kW. A mandatory NOx technical code defines how this should be done. All NOx standards apply to both main propulsions and auxiliary engines. Engines also must limit hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and other hazardous air pollutants. New installations of engines or other technology that uses ozone-depleting substances are strictly prohibited on all ships. However, new installations containing hydrochloroflurocarbons are permitted until January 1, 2020. In July 2005, Marine Environment Protection Committee agreed to revise MARPOL annex VI to strengthen the emission limits to reflect technological advances. After a 3 year examination period, the MEPC entered a new version of the Annex into effect on July 1, 2010. The main changes to the annex include a progressive reduction globally in emissions of SOx and particle matter, and the introductions of SECAs to reduce emissions in designated sea areas. The global sulfur cap, originally 4.5% has been reduced to a mere 3.5%. By 2020, this number will have been reduced to .5%. Limits on SOx in SECAs have been reduced from 1.5% to 1%, to be brought down further by 2015. A progressive reduction in NOx has also been included. Another new feature is the Tier emission limits on engines. There is a Tier II emission limit if an engine was installed on or after January 1, 2011, and a Tier III emission limit if an

engine was installed on or after January 1, 2016. Engines built between 1990 and 2000 are required to comply with Tier 1 emission limits. The revised edition also includes a new chapter based on an agreed approach for regulations of existing (pre 2000) engines, provisions for direct measurement and monitoring methods, a certification procedure for existing engines and test cycles to be applied to Tier II and Tier III engines. Revisions to the regulations of ozone-depleting substances, volatile organic compounds, ship board incineration, and fuel oil quality have been made. Regulations on fuel oil availability have also been added. These revised measures are expected to have a beneficial impact on human health. All of these requirements apply to vessels operating in US waters as well as ships operating within 200 nautical miles of the coast of North America. This not only applies to ships flying US flags, but even non-US flagged ships that are sailing in US waters. Each regulated diesel engine on these ships must have an Engine International Air Pollution Prevention certificate issued by the EPA to document that the engine meets standards. Certain vessels are also required to have an International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate, given by the USCG. All vessels are subject to random inspections. On June 27, 2011, the EPA and USCG entered into the Memorandum of Understanding to enforce Annex inspections and enforcement actions if a violation is detected. Efforts include oversight of marine fueling facilities, on-board compliance inspection, and record reviews.

Resources "MARPOL Annex VI." EPA. United States Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2013. <http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/marpol-annex-vi>. "Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships." IMO. International Maritime Organization, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2013. <http://www.imo.org/ourWork/environment/pollutionPrevention/airPollution/pages/airPollution.aspx>. "The Protocol of 1997 (MARPOL Annex VI)." IMO. International Maritime Organization, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2013. <http://www.imo.org/ourWork/environment/pollutionPrevention/airPollution/pages/theProtocol-of-1997-(MARPOL-Annex-VI).aspx>.