IMO Secretary-General Looking Forward to a Decision on Start Date for Global 0.50% Sulfur Cap for Bunkers

Mr. Kitack Lim is Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization

Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), today in his opening address of the seventieth session of the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC 70), said he was looking forward to a decision being made this week on whether a global 0.50 percent sulfur cap for marine fuel will come into force in 2020 or 2025.

The decision promises to be one of the most influential forces that will shape marine fuel markets over the next decade and beyond.

Addressing delegates and highlighting some of the many topics that will be debated during this week's event, Lim said: "You will also be considering the global sulphur cap implementation date based on the review of fuel oil availability as required by regulation 14.8 of MARPOL Annex VI, taking into account the final report of the Steering Committee established at MEPC 68. I would like to thank members of the Steering Committee which was ably led by its coordinator, Mr. Harry Conway of Liberia. 

"Your Committee agreed at its last session, in principle, to take a decision at MEPC 70 on the implementation date and I look forward to the results of your deliberations and your decision so that the shipping and refinery industries and other stakeholders can plan ahead."

While a decision on the sulfur cap is certainly expected at MEPC 70 this week, IMO has already highlighted that it is possible the decision will be made at a later date.

"The MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14.8 requires that the review 'shall be completed by 2018'. This could be interpreted as a decision having to made, at the latest by either MEPC 71 (May 2017) or MEPC 73 (Autumn 2018)," said IMO in an FAQ on the matter released last month.

"However, MEPC 69, taking into account that the review would be completed and submitted to IMO in time for consideration by MEPC 70, agreed in principle to take a decision at MEPC 70."

Other key bunker related matters up for consideration this week include the adoption of draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on mandatory requirements for ships to record and report data on their fuel consumption together with additional data on proxies for the "transport work" undertaken by the ship.

Also highlighted by Lim is the consideration this week of the proposals to designate additional emission control areas (ECAs) for NOX Tier III control in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea - the so-called NECA.