Pages 45-49: IMO SULPHUR 2020 CAP SOLUTIONS

Abstract

High Sulphur content in fuel oils is harmful to the marine ecosystem as crude oil containing sulphur when used for combustion, causes emission of sulphur oxides(SOX) along with other harmful substances which if inhaled, cause critical damage to human respiratory system as well as are also acidic in aqueous medium which is enough to hinder aquatic ecosystem in several obscure ways, one of the noted concerns being emission of ozone depleting substances(ODS).

Regarding this, International Maritime Organization (IMO) in October 2016 ruled out that sulphur emissions (permissible limit) are to be reduced from 3.5% (m/m) to 0.5% (m/m) by 1st January 2020. The solutions suggested by IMO in accordance with the complex and ever-changing dynamics of the maritime sector are mentioned below.

I. Use of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO)
II. Use of Scrubbers
III. Use of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
IV. Use of Marine Gas Oil (MGO)

This paper will further deal with the issues faced along the course of implementation of the respective regulation, such as initial setup cost, maintenance and repair, hiked fuel cost, availability and accessibility of quality resource and skill, dynamics of market and practical feasibility to name a few along with suggestive solutions and modifications.