Analysis of shipowners' obligations and technical/financial limitations in connection with regulations of MARPOL Convention Annex VI

The article focuses on the topic of MARPOL Annex VI regulations, particularly SECA, and its impact on European shipowners. The authors highlight the issue from both points of view – shipowners and industry – to deliver a complex overview and enable the public to draw own conclusions. It seems the new legislation on sulphur emissions will affect more branches than only shipping, and certainly will take its toll – not only on the shipowners, but also on ferry passengers, shipyards and as a result, European and global economy. Yet, the full impact is still to be found out. Until the ferry sector confirms its revised price structure and network capabilities, the shipowners modernise their vessels and the customers realise how much they need to pay in order to cross the Baltic Sea, we can only make assumptions as to what extent the Europeans will experience these limitations. One is certain – it is not the question “if” – the questions are “when” and “how much”.