The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has been working to reduce the harmful impacts of shipping on the environment, setting progressively stricter limits on the sulphur content of fuel oils used by vessels. Failure to comply with these new rules can lead to substantial fines.
Recently, the IMO has adopted a 2008 resolution that introduces a reduced global sulphur cap on marine fuels. The current global limit of 3.5% mass/mass (m/m) shall decrease to 0.5% m/m from 1 January 2020.
While the new regulation has been welcomed by all, there are challenges in ensuring its full compliance and enforcement. This page is dedicated to provide Members with the resources necessary to overcome these challenges.
The Club has partnered with Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS), a global market leader in marine fuel testing and bunker surveys.
The 75th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 75) took place remotely from 16 to 20 November.
Bunker issues post 2020 shake-up
11/11/2020
The IMO has been regulating and reducing sulphur emissions from ships since 2005, Learn more about issues which we have seen coming into play along with legal and practical tips which may be of help to members.
The IMO announced that two new draft mandatory measures to cut the carbon intensity of existing ships have been agreed by its Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.
The Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on global trade has led to many shipowners selling off their ships for dismantling earlier than they might otherwise have done. According to the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, 166 ships were broken up in the first quarter of 2020, and 98 ships in the second quarter.
Korea New ECA Rule
03/08/2020
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has announced the SOX Emission Control Area in major Korean ports, which strengthens the sulfur content standard of ship fuel oil to 0.1% or less according to the Article.
A roadmap to ship decarbonisation
01/07/2020
In April 2018, The IMO’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets were adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC).
The Club’s correspondents in Australia, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, advise of an increase in fines for those polluting Australian waters.