S.L. 545.18 Art. 12CTrials of new emission abatement methods.

(1) The competent authority or the Authority for

Transport in Malta, as appropriate, may in cooperation with the competent authorities of other Member States, as appropriate, approve trials of ship emission abatement methods on vessels flying the flag of Malta, or in sea areas within Malta’s jurisdiction.

(2) During those trials, the use of marine fuels meeting the requirements of regulations 9 and 9A shall not be mandatory, provided that all of the following conditions are fulfilled:

(a) the Commission and any port State concerned are notified in writing at least six months before trials begin;

(b) permits for trials do not exceed eighteen months in duration;

(c) all ships involved install tamper-proof equipment for the continuous monitoring of funnel gas emissions and use it throughout the trial period;

(d) all ships involved achieve emission reductions which are at least equivalent to those which would be achieved through the sulphur limits for fuels specified in these regulations;

(e) there are proper waste management systems in place for any waste generated by the emission abatement methods throughout the trial period;

(f) there is an assessment of impacts on the marine environment, particularly Ecosystems in enclosed ports, harbours and estuaries throughout the trial period; and

(g) full results are provided to the Commission, and made publicly available, within six months of the end of the trials.