{"id":4635,"date":"2017-09-14T07:37:59","date_gmt":"2017-09-14T14:37:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/probable-carton.flywheelsites.com\/?p=4635"},"modified":"2018-04-11T17:36:36","modified_gmt":"2018-04-12T00:36:36","slug":"imo-2020-part-1-marine-fuel-sulfur-content","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stillwaterassociates.com\/imo-2020-part-1-marine-fuel-sulfur-content\/","title":{"rendered":"IMO 2020 Part 1: The evolution of the marine sulfur regulation"},"content":{"rendered":"

September 13, 2017<\/p>\n

by Ralph Grimmer<\/a><\/p>\n

Stillwater is following the progress and impact of the International Maritime Organization’s Global Maximum Sulfur Content of Marine Fuel Rule, or IMO 2020. This is our first article in the series. Our second article, IMO 2020 Part 2: Shipowners’ Perspective<\/a>, appeared on the website in October 2017.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is moving forward with a marked reduction in the global maximum sulfur content of marine fuel (aka bunker fuel oil) on January 1, 2020. Implementation of this \u201cIMO 2020 Rule\u201d will have a pronounced impact on relative market prices for marine fuels, other refined products, and crude oil on a global basis. As discussed in Dave Hackett\u2019s article, IMO 2020: The Next Big Thing for the Oil Supply Chai<\/a>n, the IMO 2020 Rule and its market pricing impact will be keenly felt by shipowners, marine fuel suppliers, refiners, and associated industry sectors. Over the next six months, we will provide a series of articles focused on different aspects of the IMO 2020 rule. This month\u2019s focus will provide an overview of the IMO 2020 Rule and include relevant background.<\/p>\n

The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations. IMO summarizes its assigned responsibility on its website as \u201cresponsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.\u201d In October 2016, IMO passed a resolution that will likely have a pronounced impact on the global maritime, marine fuel supply, petroleum refining, and related industries beginning January 1, 2020.<\/p>\n

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) is one of IMO\u2019s standing committees. Beginning with its 1973 convention (via MARPOL 73, later modified by its Protocol in 1978), MEPC has implemented rules regulating marine pollution. These rules initially took effect in 1983. To address air pollution from shipping, MEPC adopted Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention) in 1997. Annex VI took effect in May 2005. In October 2008, MEPC revised its MARPOL Annex VI rule to further reduce marine fuel maximum sulfur content by approving Resolution MEPC.176(58).<\/p>\n

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IMO\u2019s Revised MARPOL Annex VI rule in 2008 reduced future maximum sulfur content for marine fuel utilized globally in both Emission Control Areas (ECAs) and ocean areas outside ECAs:<\/p>\n