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IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim claims the application of brand-new International regulations restricting the sulphur web content of gas made use of by ships has actually gone reasonably efficiently.

“I believe it is testimony to the diligence and dedication of IMO, its Member States, the shipping industry, the fuel supply industry and other relevant industries that such a major rule change is being implemented successfully without significant disruption to maritime transport and those that depend on it,” Secretary-General Lim stated in a ready declaration launched Tuesday.

Under supposed IMO 2020 guideline, since January 1, 2020 all ships trading worldwide are called for to make use of’ gas oil with an optimum sulphur web content restriction of lowered to 0.5%, below the previous 3.5% restriction, unless they are geared up with exhaust gas cleansing systems, also known as scrubbers.

The IMO claims info from different resources have actually shown a “relatively smooth” shift to the 0.5% restriction. As of January 20, the IMO stated it had actually gotten records of 10 instances of gas scarcities as well as no particular records of concerns sent out to a specialized e-mail address to report such concerns.

“Prices for compliant fuels – very-low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) and marine gas oil (MGO) rose quickly initially but now appear to be stabilizing,” the declaration stated.

Looking in advance, nonetheless, the delivery market currently need to plan for the March 1, 2020 target date on the restriction of the carriage of non-compliant gas.

“The next important target is fast approaching, when carrying non-compliant fuel oil on board ships becomes prohibited on 1 March 2020. I urge all shipowners, operators and masters to comply with the carriage ban, where applicable, when it comes into effect,” stated Secretary-General Lim “IMO will remain vigilant and ready to respond and provide any support. I would like to thank, sincerely, IMO Member Governments, the shipping industry and all stakeholders, including shippers and the fuel oil supply industry, for their efforts so far and to ask for further cooperation to ensure IMO 2020 is implemented properly.”