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By selecting Japan flag, you have now set your language to Japanese. This has several benefits, including:

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点击选择 China flag,可将网站语言设置为中文。这能帮助您:

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关闭 点击任意其他国旗,可切换您的语言偏好。

By selecting China flag, you have now set your language to Chinese. This has several benefits, including:

  • Providing quick access to our China page, which collates all our Chinese content in one place.

  • Ensures that content is presented to you in Chinese first, if we have an article, publication or webpage available in Chinese. Look out for the China flag indicators across the site.

Close If you’d like to change your language preferences again, simply click on one of the other flags.

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2020 Sulphur Cap

The Sulphur Cap in Shipping - It's time to act

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The reduction of the MARPOL Annex VI global fuel sulphur cap to 0.50% came into force on 1 January 2020. If you’re a shipowner or operator, important decisions were needed to ensure compliance with the requirements.

The impact of this new legislation is still being felt as vessel owners, operators, charterers and national authorities come to terms with its implementation. Learn more about the legislation and compliance options available to shipowners, as well as contractual and charterparty issues.

Want to know more?

Contact our 2020 sulphur cap specialists Mark Smith or Helen Barden on +44 191 232 5221 to see how we can support Members in making informed decisions.

2020 Sulphur Cap FAQ's

What is the Sulphur Cap 2020?

The reduction of the MARPOL Annex VI global fuel sulphur cap from 3.5% to 0.5% came into force on 1 January 2020. As expected, the  introduction of a global sulphur cap has brought about radical change to the maritime industry and has posed challenges for shipowners and charterers alike. Many challenges relate to fuel availability, safety and compatibility as well as contractual and charter party disputes. If a ship is trading outside of the existing Sulphur Emission Control Areas (ECAs) they now need to burn compliant low sulphur fuels, or face potential fines, detentions or penalties.

What is the IMO 2020 regulation?

IMO 2020, is the regulation (MARPOL Annex VI) that mandates a maximum sulphur content of 0.5% in marine fuels globally. This is a reduction from the previous limit of 3.5%. The push for this change is the need to reduce the air pollution that is produced by the sulphur content of the fuels that ships use. 

What are the main compliance options?

If you’re a shipowner or operator, difficult decisions are needed on which method of compliance to use. The best option for you may depend on several factors such as vessel type, vessel age and trading area. The five main compliance options are: burn distillates, burn hybrids or blends, install Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS), burn LNG, and use other alternative sources. Visit our compliance options area for more on the advantages and disadvantages of all options. 

 

What are the contractual and charter party considerations for the MARPOL global sulphur cap?

Whether you’re an owner or a charterer, you will need to consider the technical and commercial issues to ensure your time charterparties and bunker supply contracts adequately deal with the new sulphur requirements. Some example clauses to be included are: bunker clauses and scrubber clauses. More information can be found in our contractual and charterparty area. 

 

What legislation is in place for the MARPOL global sulphur cap?

The last decade has seen more stringent international and regional environmental regulations that aim to tackle shipborne air emissions. International legislation comes in the form of MARPOL, which is the very important IMO convention tackling pollution from shipping. Annex VI of MARPOL was created to prevent air pollution from ships, including sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and greenhouse gases (GHG) such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone depleting substances. In addition to international legislation, some countries have created special emission control areas, which all have different rules. You will need to make sure that you always achieve the strictest sulphur requirement if there is a conflict between the local rules and the MARPOL global sulphur cap. For a full breakdown, visit our dedicated legislation area. 




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