News / Carriers pull back on installing scrubbers as price of low-sulphur fuel drops

Ocean carriers are cancelling scrubber retrofits for their ships due to the huge delays at Chinese shipyards and a slump in oil prices, which has raised questions about the economics of the technology.

According to Alphaliner, the number of containerships currently out of service for the installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems remains at a record high of 117, for 1.1m teu.

“On top of this, several vessels are stranded at anchor waiting to enter retrofit yards. A number of ships have ...