Raise the sails: shippers work toward IMO 2020 compliance ahead of time

摘要

Despite the IMO's cap on marine fuel sulfur content at 0.5% set to take effect on Jan.1 2020,a number of shippers are already preparing their vessels to comply with the spec.Some shippers are already starting to use IMO-2020-compliant fuels,such as low-sulfur fuel oil(LSFO)and marine gasoil,or will have done so by the end of Oct.According to some bunkerers,transitioning to IMO-2020-compliant fuels early will lower the need to clean out tanks as diluent can be used with LSFO to dissolve sludge and clean tanks.While this practice may result in sulfur content higher than 0.5% after cleaning,by Jan.1,sulfur levels should be within the IMO's limits.Companies are preparing for IMO 2020 early to avoid last-minute problems that may occurring with the switch.For example,state-owned Kuwait National Petroleum Co.and tanker company Ardmore Shipping have already started using low-sulfur fuels.Shipowners in Japan were reported to have already began lifting LSFO.Another global shipper has announced that it will stop buying high-sulfur fuel oil by the end of Oct.One buyer does not plan to burn LSFO yet unless sailing into emission control areas in China despite transitioning six bunker tankers to use LSFO.Shipowners in Taiwan will likely not begin buying LSFO before Nov.,said a trader.