An amendment to support consistent implementation of the forthcoming 0.50% limit on sulphur in ships fuel oil was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Friday (26 October), during the current session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 73).
This decision may impact not only marine transport, but it will probably have a huge impact on road transport as well. The use of low sulphur liquid fuel will probably result in higher diesel prices for land transport. It is expected that refineries will not be able to cope with the increased demand from the marine sector. On the contrary, the production of LNG which is another option for low sulphur fuel in compliance with the IMO sulphur cap, continues to expand on a global level. LNG availability for trucks and buses is also the key to reduced fuel costs and emissions. In urban areas, CNG will help not only to improve air quality, but also to shield urban transport from the potential increase in diesel prices.
The new 0.50% limit (reduced from 3.50% currently) on sulphur in ships’ fuel oil will be in force from 1 January 2020, under IMO’s MARPOL treaty, with benefits for the environment and human health.
The complementary MARPOL amendment will prohibit the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil for combustion purposes for propulsion or operation on board a ship – unless the ship has an exhaust gas cleaning system (“scrubber”) fitted. Installing a scrubber is accepted by flag States as an alternative means to meet the sulphur limit requirement.
The complementary amendment is expected to enter into force on 1 March 2020.
The amendment does not change in any way the entry into force date of the 0.50% limit from 1 January 2020. It is intended as an additional measure to support consistent implementation and compliance and provide a means for effective enforcement by States, particularly port State control. It is an important enforcement facilitating measure.
Source: IMO & GGM