Gard P&I Club provides an update on some regions, states and ports around the world that have implemented their own strict sulphur emission limits.
According to Gard, as new local regulations or changes to existing legislation can be implemented with little notice, and regulatory enforcement strategies vary by region/port, ships’ masters should always seek guidance on local requirements from their agents well in advance of a ship’s intended port call.
What is the 2020 IMO sulfur cap?
The IMO sulfur cap is a regulation set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to limit the sulfur content in the fuel oil used by ships. This regulation, which came into effect on January 1, 2020, aims to reduce air pollution from ships, particularly sulfur oxides (SOx), which are harmful to human health and the environment. The sulfur cap reduces the maximum allowable sulfur content in marine fuel from 3.5% to 0.5% by weight. In designated Emission Control Areas (ECAs), even stricter limits are in place, requiring a sulfur content of no more than 0.1%.
Gard provides the following overview of requirements can be used as a checklist but should not be considered exhaustive:
| Region | Regulation | Sulphur Content Limit | Special Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union (EU) | EU Sulphur Directive | ≤ 0.10% | Applies to ships at berth in EU ports. Ships due to be at berth for < 2 hours or using shore-side electricity are exempt. |
| Turkey | Aligned with EU | ≤ 0.10% | Applies at berth in Turkish ports and inland waterways. Excludes ships transiting the Bosporus, Dardanelles, and Marmara Sea unless stay > 2 hours. |
| Israel | Israeli Regulation (effective 23 Feb 2023) | ≤ 0.10% | Applies to ships moored alongside or anchored within port limits. Accepts alternative solutions like scrubbers. |
| Norwegian World Heritage Fjords | Norwegian Regulation (from 1 Mar 2019) | ≤ 0.10% | Includes specific fjords. Ships ≥ 10,000 GT must carry an environmental instruction. Zero emissions regulations by 2026 for certain vessels. |
| Iceland | Icelandic Regulation (from 1 Jan 2020) | ≤ 0.10% | Applies within territorial sea (12nm) and internal waters. |
| China | Domestic ECAs | ≤ 0.10% (for Yangtze, Xi Jiang Rivers, Hainan) | Coastal ECA limit at 0.50%. Fuel changeover required before entering or after exiting ECAs. |
| South Korea | Domestic ECAs | ≤ 0.10% | Applies within five major port areas. Fuel changeover required before entering or after exiting ECAs. |
| Sydney, Australia | AMSA Regulation | ≤ 0.10% | Applies to cruise vessels in Sydney Harbour. Limit applies from 1 hour after arrival until 1 hour before departure. |
| Panama Canal | Panama Canal Authority Regulation | ≤ 0.50% | Vessels must switch to marine distillate fuels within ACP waters. |
| California, USA | CARB OGV Fuel Regulation | ≤ 0.10% | Applies within 24nm of the coastline. Requires compliance with distillate grades. No scrubbers allowed. |
