Page 13 - Annual Review 2018/2019

INDUSTRY TOPICS
2020 Global Sulphur Limit implementation

On the implementation
of the 0.50% sulphur limit
from 1 January 2020 for

ship bunkers, INTERCARGO
promoted early on the
consideration of transitional
issues such as the

availability of compliant fuel,
the impact on machinery
systems, verification
mechanisms and any

regulatory amendments
or guidelines required.

INTERCARGO supported the 2020 Sulphur Limit regulation outside designated emission control areas not to exceed
and its implementation date of 1 January 2020. However, 0.50% as of 1 January 2020 marks a sea change in the
our Association could not ignore the safety issues that are marine fuels’ supply chain.
likely to arise from this important regulation. The successful,
effective and orderly implementation of the regulation It is extremely worrying that compliant fuels as of mid-2019
rests not only with ship operators but equally with the IMO were made available only in a limited number of ports and
Member States and with suppliers (involving oil refineries, under unfavourable terms for voluntary early testing by
bunker suppliers and charterers) who need to secure the ships, as charterers/operators are not currently obliged to
worldwide availability of safe compliant fuels - a particular purchase future compliant fuel. Hence, the practical testing
problem for ships in the dry bulk tramp trades. of new fuels and crew training, which is only possible under
real conditions aboard ships, has been very limited and
In view of the upcoming milestone date of 1 January 2020, pushed to the end of year – this situation creates significant
INTERCARGO expressed its growing concern in view of the safety implications for the operation of ships, which could
magnitude of the challenge lying ahead for the industry and eventually threaten the safety of seafarers, ships, and
the need for a smooth transition. cargoes, as well as the marine environment.

The global availability of safe compliant fuels is a key
question that remains largely unanswered. The requirement
for the sulphur content of fuel oil used by ships operating

 For more information on this topic please visit: intercargo.org/topics/emissions/
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