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ARTICLE · 10 NOVEMBER 2020

IMO 2020 & The Global Pandemic

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The main type of "bunker" oil for ships is heavy fuel oil, derived as a residue from crude oil distillation. Crude oil contains sulphur which, following combustion in the engine...

GlobalTransport
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What is IMO 2020?

The main type of "bunker" oil for ships is heavy fuel oil, derived as a residue from crude oil distillation. Crude oil contains sulphur which, following combustion in the engine, ends up in ship emissions. Sulphur oxides ("SOx") are known pollutants which can lead to acid rain and can cause harm to human health.

The International Maritime Organization ("IMO"), the United Nations agency tasked with setting global standards for safety, security and environmental performance in global shipping, under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships ("MARPOL Convention"), first adopted provisions to reduce SOx emissions from ships in 2005 under Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention ("ANNEX VI").

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