Shipping fuel blitz is hailed

A NEW European crackdown on pollution from ship fuel will help cut respiratory illnesses and heart disease, Lothians-based Labour MEP David Martin said today.

Air pollution from shipping is currently estimated to cause 50,000 premature deaths a year across the EU. The new rules will require ships to use fuel with a lower sulphur content.

Mr Martin said: “Ship fuel is currently one of the dirtiest fuels on the planet. Even after these regulations come in, the new fuel is 100 times dirtier in terms of sulphur than car fuel.

“The health benefits will be significant in terms of reducing respiratory illnesses and heart disease.”