Tag: 2020 sulphur cap

It is known that the use of scrubbers has split the shipping industry. To date, several ports and regions have stated that they will not allow the discharge of washwater from scrubbers.

The IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) has published a review on the quality of marine fuels supplied, following a year since the introduction of the 0.50% sulphur cap.

Indications are that the transition to 2020 sulphur cap has been ‘’extremely smooth, a testament to the preparations of all stakeholders prior to the new rules entering into force", IMO said on the occasion of one year of implementation of the IMO Sulphur Cap requirement

Singapore-based independent test and research facility Maritec is advising shipowners on how best to meet IMO 2020 fuel testing requirements following reports of excessive sulphur in some very low sulphur fuel oils.

Although all lights are shed on COVID-19, let’s not forget that last year the long anticipated IMO Sulphur cap became effective. Now, after one year of implementation,  it is time to come to conclusions; in that regard,  in our Sea Sense column,  in association with The North of England P&I Club, we ask global experts to make their assessment whether we succeeded or not:

One year on, indications are that the transition to 2020 sulphur cap has been extremely smooth, "a testament to the preparations of all stakeholders prior to the new rules entering into force", IMO said. 

2020 has been the year that all the maritime industry anticipated with mixed feelings due to the implementation of sulphur cap. Although all lights were shed on COVID-19 , once again the regulatory agenda was busy within 2020 in order the maritime industry to stay on the pulse and remain sustainable.

BIMCO expressed concerns over the IMO's suggested procedure for ‘On board sampling’ to be used for determining if the ship is in compliance with the sulphur regulation, warning that this could cause confusion and uncertainty between the ship, bunker supplier, time charter and other stakeholders.

Ocean Network Express (ONE) introduced a low sulphur fuel surcharge (LSF) for the new South Korean Emission Control Areas (ECA).

Gard's Loss Prevention Executive Asia, Singapore, Siddharth Mahajan and Senior Claims Adviser, London, Louis Shepherd note that the 2020 transition has been smoother than many predicted but not without challenges.