Maritime trade heading for chaotic start to new sulphur regulations

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The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is warning of the potential for “chaos and confusion” in the implementation of the IMO’s 0.5% sulphur cap on 1 January 2020.

While fully supporting the regulation, the ICS is concerned that maritime trade could be “dangerously impeded” by the lack of availability of low-sulphur fuel in ports around the world after the regulation date.

The shipping industry trade association is urging governments to address these issues urgently, given it argued that ship operators would need to start purchasing quantities of compliant fuel several months earlier than the start date in 18 months’ time.