ICS: Work to 2020 Sulphur Deadline
The deadline for implementing the global 0.5% cap on sulphur in fuel as required by International Maritime Organization (IMO) is more likely to be implemented worldwide from 2020, rather than 2025, says the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).
Dependent on the results of a fuel availability study to be completed in 2018, IMO could push back implementation of the cap from 2020 to 2025. But ICS said its members will work with bunker refiners to ensure adequate supply of compliant fuel by the earliest introduction date.
"ICS has concluded that, for better or worse, the global cap is very likely to be implemented in 2020, almost regardless of the effect that any lack of availability of compliant fuel may have on the cost of moving world trade by sea,” ICS Chairman, Masamichi Morooka said.
“While postponing the sulphur global cap until 2025 is still a possibility, the shipping and oil refining industries should not assume this will happen simply because they are unprepared,” he added.
However ICS said that if IMO’s study identifies supply problems only by the end of 2018, it will be too late for governments to take action. The body noted that IMO had declined to bring forward the study despite ICS requests.
ICS anticipates that the cap will increase the cost of marine fuel to the global shipping industry by up to US$50 billion.
Meanwhile ICS expressed “deep concern” at the European Union’s decision to adopt the Regulation on Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of ship emissions, in advance of IMO finalizing negotiations on a global system for collecting CO2 emissions data.
