The adoption of a ban on the carriage of bunkers above 0.50% sulphur is set to proceed, in spite a number of countries that wanted a delay. However, the majority of countries at MEPC73 have expressed their support for adopting it as early as possible, namely from 1 March, 2020.
MEPC 73 discussed a proposal from Bangladesh that called for a delay to implementing the carriage ban, as it concerned about the availability, safety and cost of compliant fuels.
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Namely, Bangladesh said that the ban should not be adopted until the economic availability and sufficient supply of low sulphur fuel oil is ensured.
A number of developing countries supported the proposal from Bangladesh, however most of the countries wanted the carriage ban to proceed without delay.
The ban is expected to be adopted once the regulatory text is presented to the Committee.
Commenting on the ban, IBIA stated that:
The paper from Bangladesh seems to suggest that delaying the high sulphur fuel oil carriage ban equals a delay to the implementation of the 2020 sulphur limit. This is not the case. It is simply a tool facilitate enforcement of the global sulphur limit more effectively.
In addition, on Wednesday, October 24, MEPC 73 rejected a proposal for a soft rollout of the 2020 sulphur cap implementation. BIMCO, Intercargo, Intertanko, the Marshall Islands, Liberia, Panama, the Bahamas and the US suggested this ‘experience building phase’.