Pandemic masks sulphur compliance picture
(Posted on 17/04/20)
It will be difficult to ascertain a full picture of how well the international shipping industry is complying with the new sulphur 2020 environmental legislation and judge the effectiveness of enforcement measures until sometime after the Covid-19 pandemic has receded, says maritime law specialist Hill Dickinson.
Introduced on January 1st this year, the implementation of Regulation 14.1.13 of Marpol Annex VI, was a key issue for the shipping industry, particularly in respect to how the sulphur cap was being observed and enforced. The horizon issue was the Carriage Ban, effective on 1 March 2020, which prevented any vessel not fitted with an exhaust gas cleaning system from carrying marine fuel with a sulphur content in excess of 0.50% m/m for use on board.
Beth Bradley, a Partner with Hill Dickinson, explained: “While a few issues arose concerning the quality of the low sulphur fuel, particularly some blended fuels having a propensity to sediment, and around marginal breaches of the cap, the implementation of the global sulphur cap was progressing smoothly with reports of high levels of compliance.
“Three months on and the disruption to international shipping caused by Covid-19 has pushed sulphur cap issues well and truly from the headlines. Regulation 14.1.3 remains in force – however, where Port authorities globally are prioritising health and the movement of freight, enforcement action will perhaps be less of a priority.”
The impact of the pandemic has led to serious delays to existing orders for the retro-fitting of exhaust gas cleaning systems, particularly for those vessel where the work was to take place in Chinese shipyards, or to cancellations as owners and operators seek to cut costs.
In addition, the collapse in the oil price has eroded the price differential between high sulphur and low sulphur fuel oil, making the immediate prospect of a larger uptake of exhaust gas cleaning systems doubtful, particularly if prices remain low for a significant period of time.
The UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) recently announced that it was suspending vessel checks for compliance with low sulphur fuel regulations in order to keep freight moving, although it made clear that it will still inspect vessels where information is received indicating that an inspection would be appropriate. This is unlikely to be the last such announcement, predicts Ms Bradley.
Ms Bradley commented: “While the sulphur cap and the carriage ban remain in force such that owners risk enforcement action if they carry marine fuel with a sulphur content in excess of 0.50% m/m for use on board, the disruption caused by Covid-19 may reduce that risk where port state control is under pressure on other fronts. It also will make it difficult to ascertain a full picture relating to compliance and enforcement until sometime after the pandemic has receded.”
Latest News
DNV and RSI complete study on decarbonising short sea dry bulk fleet
(Posted on 07/08/25)Amid increasing pressure on shipping to achieve the IMO 2050 decarbonization targets, the Responsible... Read more
London P&I Club warns industry over incorrect FIBC loading
(Posted on 04/08/25)The London P&I Club has renewed calls on ship owners, operators and charterers to address potential... Read more
Columbia Group calls for overhaul of maritime training
(Posted on 04/08/25)Columbia Group is calling for urgent reforms in maritime education to address a growing shortage of... Read more
MIS launches as new global media platform
(Posted on 30/07/25)Maritime Information Services (MIS) has officially launched as a global media platform delivering daily... Read more
Russian and Ukrainian seafarers continue struggle with psychiatric fallout of war
(Posted on 30/07/25)Russian and Ukrainian seafarers continue to experience significant psychological strain following the... Read more
Noatum expands global footprint with inauguration of Shanghai office
(Posted on 30/07/25)Noatum Maritime, part of AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster, announced the official... Read more
Smart Ship Hub emission reporting first through Asiatic Lloyd partnership
(Posted on 21/07/25)Leading vessel optimisation platform Smart Ship Hub has announced its partnership with AL Group &ndash... Read more
KR Representative LEE Jungkun Elected Chair of IACS Safety Panel
(Posted on 21/07/25)KR (Korean Register) has announced that LEE Jungkun, General Manager of KR’s Convention &... Read more
INTERCARGO-member fleets outperform on safety and compliance
(Posted on 17/07/25)Dry bulk carriers entered with the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) continue... Read more
NEMO strengthens global role with official status from IMO and IAEA
(Posted on 15/07/25)The Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization (NEMO) is proud to announce that it has officially been granted... Read more
