The IMO's global sulphur limit of 0.5% will come into force from 1 January, 2019.

Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has however announced that Taiwan will start implementing this limit a year early. Therefore, as from 1 January 2019, all foreign ships entering Taiwan's international ports and domestic ships sailing on international routes must use fuel oil containing 0.5% m/m or less of sulphur.  To incentivise ships to switch to low-sulphur fuel even earlier, the MOTC is offering as from 1 February 2018 to the end of the year a subsidy starting NT$5,000 (approximately US$172) to ships entering Taiwanese ports that have made the change to lower-sulphur fuel, i.e. even before the implementation date of 1 January 2019.

If Members have any questions on the above, please do not hesitate to approach your usual Club contacts who will be happy to assist with all enquiries.