Clarification regarding revisions to the international regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships

The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) on January 31, 2023, issued a clarification regarding revisions to the international regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships (MARPOL Annex VI). The revised regulations included a requirement that, from January 01, 2020, the sulphur content of fuel oil used by ships operating outside designated emission control areas shall not exceed 0.50% by mass, known as “IMO 2020”.

That ships can comply with the said regulations related to a cap of maximum sulphur on fuel used on board ships in one of the following ways:

1. Use a compliant fuel oil with a sulphur content that does not exceed 0.50% or 
2. Use an equivalent e.g. an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (“scrubber”) If exceeding 0.50% or 
3. Use an alternative fuel e.g. LNG, or methanol.