A ban on the dirtiest and most climate-damaging marine fuels has come into effect in Arctic waters.
Heavy fuel oil (HFO) is a tar-like, thick, but relatively inexpensive oil that is widely used in transportation around the world, especially by tankers.
But HFOs are especially harmful in the Arctic, where the black carbon they release when burned speeds the melting of snow and ice.
Campaigners say the ban will have no immediate impact because a series of loopholes mean most ships will be able to use the fuel until 2029.
HFOs, produced using waste leftover from the oil refining process, pose a major threat to the entire ocean, but especially to the Arctic region.
This sludge-like fuel is nearly impossible to clean up if a spill occurs.
Experts say that in cold water, the fuel does not break down but sinks in clumps and remains in sediments, threatening fragile ecosystems.
Climate-wise, this oil is considered particularly hazardous because when burned, it not only produces large amounts of gases that contribute to global warming, but also emits soot particles called black carbon.
“Black carbon is having a kind of double whammy on the Arctic,” said Dr Sian Prior of the Clean Arctic Alliance activist group.
“While it’s in the atmosphere, it draws in heat and then settles on top of snow and ice, causing it to melt faster.”
Since 2011, the use and transportation of this oil has been banned in Antarctica.
Environmentalists have been trying to extend these restrictions to northern waters for years and have finally convinced countries participating in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enact a ban in 2021.
Restrictions are now in effect in Arctic waters. Activists agree this is progress, but believe there are too many loopholes to limit the impact.
The regulations exclude vessels with “protected fuel tanks” from the ban.
States bordering the Arctic can also exempt their ships from the ban in their waters.
One of the major players in the region is Russia, which operates more than 800 vessels in northern waters. They are not implementing the new IMO regulations.
This waiver will last until 2029. The impact is expected to be significant, with the International Council on Clean Transportation estimating that around 74% of ships using HFO will continue to do so.
Some experts believe that increased oil exploration efforts in the Arctic could increase, rather than decrease, the amount of HFO used in the area.
“Oil and gas tankers are the real operators,” said Dr. Elena Tracy of WWF. “They are using massive amounts of HFO.”
“We will see more oil and gas project development in certain regions, such as the Russian Arctic, where increased use of LNG tankers will also drive up HFO volumes.”
Activists argue that alternative fuels exist and hope the shipping industry and Arctic shipping states will take the ban seriously.
They point to Norway as an example of this achievement.
The Norwegian government has already implemented a strong ban on HFOs around the Svalbard archipelago.
In recent years Irish vessel charged with using HFO in the area It imposed a fine of one million Norwegian kroner ($93,000, £74,000).
Activists say this type of action is needed now because time is running out in the Arctic.
“Scientists are already saying that we will likely see our first ice-free days in the Arctic in the 2030s, and some say as early as 2030,” Dr. Prior said.
“We really need to take action in the coming years to reduce our carbon emissions and start limiting our use of these oils.
“We are strongly urging countries to move faster. We are urging the shipping industry to do the right thing.”