2020 Sulfur Cap Decision: This is a Good Day for People all Around the World, says Yara

Yves Bonte, Head of Industrial business at Yara, called today "a good day for people all around the world."

Upon news today of a decision by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to implement a 0.5 percent global sulfur cap on marine fuels in 2020, Yves Bonte, Head of Industrial business at exhaust gas scrubber producer Yara International ASA (Yara), called today "a good day for people all around the world."

As Ship & Bunker has reported, the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee at its 70th session (MEPC 70) today agreed that a 0.5 percent global sulfur cap on marine fuel will be implemented from 2020, rather than the proposed delayed date of 2025.

"The severe health and environmental damage caused by ship emissions could no longer be ignored," said Bonte.

"The decision gives shipowners time to comply and although there is a short-term investment, it will make the maritime industry more sustainable and environmentally friendly in the long term."

Bonte says estimates indicate that investments in scrubbers for vessels have a return on investment (ROI) of about two to five years, depending on fuel prices and consumption, reducing owners' exposure to increased price spread between HFO and low sulfur bunkers.

The company says it is making scrubbers both smaller and easier to install, as well as more cost effective to operate, offering both SOx and NOx reduction systems on a single vessel.

"Yara’s system is suitable for any type of vessel and can be retrofitted or installed on newbuilds," explained Yara, noting that retrofits can be completed without taking a vessel out of service if the ship has multiple engines.

Yara further notes that, from signature to operation, newbuild scrubber installations can be completed in a minimum of six months.

In June, the Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems Association (EGCSA) said that the marine scrubber industry has "ample scrubber capacity for 2020" and is ready to help shipping comply with the 0.50 percent global sulfur cap for bunkers.