IMO 2020 Sulphur Cap
Global cap on marine fuel sulphur content reduced to 0.50% mass on 1 January 2020 (0.10% in ECAs).
In practice
Switch to compliant fuel completed by 31 Dec 2019 for vessels entering 2020. Some ships installed scrubbers; most switched to VLSFO. PSC checks bunker delivery notes routinely.
Regulatory detail & full definition
MARPOL Annex VI Reg. 14 amendment that reduced the global cap on marine fuel sulphur from 3.50% to 0.50% mass on 1 January 2020. The 0.10% ECA limit remained unchanged. Compliance is achieved by switching to compliant low-sulphur fuel (VLSFO, MGO), installing an exhaust gas cleaning system (scrubber), or using LNG / methanol / other alternative fuel. The change reshaped global refining patterns and created the VLSFO product class. PSC inspections verify compliance by reviewing bunker delivery notes and sampling.
Authoritative source: MARPOL Annex VI (Air pollution) ↗
Related
Source: MARPOL Annex VI Reg. 14
High confidence
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