IMO 2020

It's going to be a very tough transition to the low sulfur world, ocean shipping experts believe. And that's because the availability of low sulfur fuel is "uncertain", the use of scrubbers is unsustainable and ocean going ships will quickly burn through low sulfur stockpiles. High demand,...

In January, new mandates handed down from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), an arm of the United Nations that writes and enforces global maritime regulations, go into effect concerning sulfur emissions from ships.  The new regulations are expected to affect around 60,000 ships...

The disaster scenario for the International Maritime Organization's 2020 fuel rule (IMO 2020) goes like this: Ships without exhaust-gas scrubbers must switch en masse to more expensive low-sulfur fuel on Jan. 1. To meet demand, refineries produce more distillate-based marine fuel. That marine-fuel...

Shipping is not ready to safely implement IMO 2020 low-sulfur fuel rules by the start of next year, according to a coalition of shipping trade associations. Unless some form of emission abatement technology such as scrubbers has been installed on vessels, the new International Maritime...

A weekly look at what occurred in the oil markets of the U.S. and the world this past week and what's ahead. If you're concerned you've missed some early market movements getting ready for IMO 2020, don't worry; not a lot has happened yet. That doesn't mean to say that the market has been...

The looming IMO 2020 rule is predicted to hike transportation fuel costs across the board, begging the question: With just four months left until the deadline, are those facing this risk hedging their exposure? Starting Jan. 1, ships not equipped with exhaust gas scrubbers must burn fuel with a...

The looming tectonic shift in fuel rules poses an enormous financial risk to the very largest ocean shipping companies – but these players are also in the best financial position to counter that threat. The IMO 2020 rule mandates that all vessels not equipped with exhaust-gas scrubbers must burn...

Container shipping bunker adjustment factors (BAFs) will rocket later this year as the deadline for the mandatory use of new low-sulfur fuels across the global maritime fleet draws closer. According to London-based consultant Drewry, the BAFs shippers will face from container lines "will soar...

When John Fredriksen — the world's most famous living shipping magnate — makes a big move, a common response is to ask: What does he know that we don't? Fredriksen just made a big move, actually, two related ones. What they amount to is a very large bet that the IMO 2020 rule, which will cap...

Experts to dig into potential impacts at upcoming Edge 2019 Maritime interests have certainly heard about, and are preparing for the IMO 2020 regulations that go into effect on January 1, 2020. But those without direct interest in ocean shipping may not understand the potential impact these...

If you're really worried about the limitations on marine fuel supply due to upcoming regulations, one way to hedge your risk – assuming you're big enough – is to buy your own marine fuel supplier, or at least part of one. This way, you can better ensure you'll get the fuel you need, and if pricing...

FreightWaves features Market Voices – a forum for voices with unique knowledge of numerous transportation/logistics/supply chain sectors, as well as other critical expertise. The "Renaissance Period" for railway intermodal was the 2002-2006 time period. A number of railway freight records were...

Expectations of an IMO 2020 spike in tanker rates are not just being subtly tempered on the product carrier side of the equation. There seem to be more caveats, at least between the lines, on the crude oil tanker front as well. Third-quarter crude-tanker rate disclosures and commentary from...

It's either the calm before the IMO 2020 storm or the calm before a ‘goose egg' for tanker owners and their investors. The IMO 2020 rule requires all ships without exhaust gas scrubbers to burn fuel will no more than 0.5 percent sulfur starting January 1, 2020. This change is expected to...

A weekly look at what occurred in the oil markets of the U.S. and the world this past week and what's ahead. There have been a slew of articles wondering whether the lack of any signs in the market regarding price movements tied to IMO 2020 mean the transition to the new rules won't be a big deal...