Shipowners advised to exercise caution in face of growing dangers and expense under R-22 phase out
November 25, 2015 Wilhelmsen Ships Service, a leading global provider of services and products to the shipping industry, is warning of price, supply and safety risks in the run-up to the global ban on R-22 (chlorodifluoromethane or HCFC) refrigerant. The colourless gas, which has high ozone depletion and global warming potential, is still said to be in use on between 6,000 and 8,000 vessels worldwide. R-22 was outlawed throughout the EU in a process that ran from 2010 to 1 January 2015. It is currently being phased out in the US, where no new or imported R-22 will be permitted from 1