The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a 4.5 % cap on sulphur content in marine fuels with the MARPOL 73/78 Annex VI Regulations. The regulations aim to prevent air pollution from ships, and entered into force on 19 May 2005.

A recent study of worldwide fuel sulphur levels by DNV Petroleum Services suggests that only 0.2 % of global marine fuel deliveries contain more than 4.5 % sulphur. The study shows a rise in bunker deliveries with sulphur content above 4.0 %.

A study by Dag Olav Halle of DNV Petroleum Services (DNVPS) indicates that bunker deliveries with sulphur content above 4.0% have risen over the last two years, even though just 0.2% of global marine fuel deliveries contained more than 4.5% sulphur.

“This implies that the actual number of deliveries exceeding 4.5% sulphur is relatively insignificant, which in turn could mean that a worldwide 4.5% sulphur cap alone may not do much to reduce overall sulphur emissions," says Dag Olav Halle.

Date: 2005-12-20