The 2020 Sulphur Cap

On 27 October 2016 the IMO agreed to implement a 0.50% mass by mass (m/m) sulphur cap on all marine fuel by 2020, from the current 3.50% m/m.

This decision is arguably one of the industry's most significant developments since the invention of the steam engine – with over 90% of the international trade conducted by sea and waterways, the sulphur cap is an ambitious environmental measure that presents several transitional issues that will affect approximately 70,000 ships.

Issues revolving around the implementation of the sulphur cap have formed the core of the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meetings and draft guidelines to date, with the aim to help ensure the consistent implementation of the MARPOL regulation.