A group of leading environmental and maritime shipping organizations have called for the prohibition of transporting non-compliant marine fuels once the global 0.5 percent sulfur cap takes effect in 2020.
The United Nation's International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed that from 1st January 2020 the maximum permitted sulphur content of marine fuel (outside Emission Control Areas) will reduce from 3.5% to 0.5%.
Unless a ship is using an approved equivalent compliance method, there should be no reason for it to be carrying non-compliant fuels for combustion on board.
The 2020 sulphur cap will provide substantial environmental and human health benefits as a result of the reduced sulphur content of marine fuels used from 1 Jan 2020. At the same time, the 2020 cap will significantly increase ships’ operating costs and will present major challenges to governments that must ensure consistent enforcement across the globe.
To secure the intended environmental and health benefits, the organizations say it is of utmost importance that enforcement of this standard is efficient and robust globally. Any failure by governments to ensure consistent implementation and enforcement could also lead to serious market distortion and unfair competition.
In a joint statement ahead of a critical IMO meeting in February, at which proposals for a carriage ban will be discussed by governments, environmental and shipping organizations assert that such a ban will help ensure robust, simplified and consistent enforcement of the global sulphur cap.
Given the fundamental importance of the 2020 global sulphur cap, the call for a prohibition on the carriage of non-compliant fuels is now supported by the following organizations:
BIMCO, Clean Shipping Coalition, Cruise Lines International Association, Friends of the Earth U.S, International Chamber of Shipping, International Parcel Tanker’s Association, INTERTANKO, Pacific Environment, World Shipping Council and WWF Global Arctic Programme.