News / IMO announces new global fuel sulphur cap – CO2 emissions next on cleaner air agenda

© Paul Vinten

The maximum sulphur content of ship fuel is set to be reduced from 3.5% to 0.5% by 2020.

Despite warnings from shipping analysts that the new regulations on the sulphur content of heavy fuel oil (HFO) could cost the container shipping industry $35-40bn, observers at this week’s marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said representatives of the world’s ship registers were unanimous that the industry had to adopt cleaner fuel types.

And the decision was welcomed ...