Sulphur cap 2020

The MARPOL Annex VI global limit, in force 1 January 2020, that capped the sulphur content of marine fuel oil at 0.50 percent by mass outside emission control areas, down from 3.50 percent, with a 0.10 percent limit inside ECAs. Ships comply by burning very low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil, or an approved alternative fuel, or by fitting an exhaust-gas cleaning system (scrubber) to keep using high-sulphur fuel. The cap reshaped the bunker market and the refining slate for marine fuels.