Ship Shape: Reducing Harmful Global Air Pollution

After a great amount of effort by Friends of the Earth and partners including air quality control districts, the U.S. Congress finally passed legislation last month to implement an international oceans convention to reduce harmful global air pollution, which was then signed into law by the President.

The U.S. took over a decade to adopt the ‘Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Vessels’ (MARPOL) Annex VI, which is administered by the International Maritime Organization. With more than 60,000 people worldwide dying prematurely each year due to ship exhaust, U.S. ratification of this convention is long overdue. It will help decrease serious health risks and air pollution by requiring container ships, tankers, cruise ships and other ocean-going vessels to adhere to international laws that reduce harmful air emissions.