1 March 2020 carriage ban, enforcement actions against vessels,
and claims under bunker supply contracts
Since 1 January 2020, vessels without scrubbers have been
prohibited from consuming fuel with sulphur content above 0.50%
m/m. Whilst the IMO has commented that, so far, there has been a
"relatively smooth transition" to the new sulphur limit,
it has not been without issue, with breaches of the new limit being
identified by authorities and enforcement action taken against a
number of vessels. There have also been reports of high
sedimentation levels in low sulphur fuel blends in the Americas,
Singapore and Europe, which have the potential to cause clogged
filters and engine damage, and generate legal claims.
