News / Rising low-sulphur fuel costs begin to bite shipping lines in Asia

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Although the 1 January switch to maximum 0.5% low-sulphur fuel for shipping appears to have passed without major disruption, liner consultancy Alphaliner has reported instances of idle containerships waiting for compliant fuel.

The consultant said it had recorded “several cases of laden ships at anchor, apparently waiting for LSFO [low-sulphur fuel oil] bunkers”.

It said the carrier most affected was Singapore-based Pacific International Lines (PIL), which apparently has had at least six vessels anchored off of its home port since late last ...