The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) on Tuesday (8 July) introduced a policy brief examining how further reducing the global maximum allowable fuel sulphur content of bunker fuel from 0.5% to 0.1% could affect air pollution emissions and premature mortality from fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

Currently, ships must adhere to a global 0.5% fuel sulphur limit and a 0.1% limit in ECAs, unless they use scrubbers. However, studies have found that ships using scrubbers with heavy fuel oil emit more particulate matter and black carbon emissions than those using marine gas oil.

The brief considered three compliance pathways:

1. Scrubber Max scenario in which ships that use very-low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) switch to high-sulfur heavy fuel oil (HFO) with scrubbers to comply;
2. Scrubber Allowed scenario in which ships that use VLSFO switch to marine gas oil (MGO) to comply;
3. Distillate Only scenario in which scrubbers are not allowed and ships that use HFO and scrubbers or VLSFO switch to MGO to comply.

In summary, the research found that relative to a baseline scenario based on 2023 ship activity data, reducing the sulphur content of marine fuels to comply with a 0.1% sulphur limit would:

• Mitigate air pollution. Across the three compliance scenarios, shipping-attributable sulfur oxide emissions are estimated to fall by 75%–85%, PM2.5 by 46%–66%, and black carbon by 27%–41%. The scenario prohibiting scrubbers yields the highest estimated emission reductions.
• Reduce premature deaths. The three compliance scenarios avoid between 3,900 and 4,500 premature deaths annually, with the most significant reductions achieved when scrubbers are not allowed.
• Deliver substantial economic benefits. Health-related economic benefits are estimated to range from $9.3 billion to $10.9 billion annually, depending on the compliance pathway.
• Incentivize cleaner fuels. A global 0.1% sulfur standard that promotes distillate fuel use would increase baseline fossil fuel costs and reduce the price gap between conventional and zero or near-zero greenhouse gas emission fuels.

The complete policy brief Health and air pollution benefits of a global 0.1% fuel sulfur limit  on marine fuels can be obtained from the link here.

Photo credit: International Council on Clean Transportation
Published: 9 July 2025

International bunker trading firm Integr8 Fuels on Monday (7 July) shared its new report ‘Mediterranean ECA: Immediate Operational and Commercial Impact of Implementation’ which provides the first comprehensive analysis of the rule’s effects on fuel quality and regional availability.

The data reveals a market in rapid transition, confirming some industry predictions while uncovering new, emerging risks for ship operators. The following key findings include:

1. Dramatic Supply Shift Confirmed: VLSFO Availability Contracts Sharply. VLSFO’s share of the Mediterranean fuel market has plummeted from over 60% in December to just 37.5% in May. In parallel, the number of ports supplying VLSFO has fallen by 47%, creating new logistical challenges for vessels that continue to use the grade.
2. VLSFO Instability Spikes as Supply Chain Adapts. Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) off specification rates more than doubled from 1.5% in December to 3.8% in May. Critically, one in four (25%) of these off-specs were for total sediment potential (TSP), indicating a rising risk of sludge formation that can damage engines. This trend appears linked to extended in-tank storage and the consolidation of older fuel stocks as demand slows and suppliers pivot away from VLSFO.
3. Persistent Flash Point Risks in Key LSMGO Hubs. Flash point non-conformance has increased significantly and now accounts for over two-thirds of all LSMGO off specs. Our data shows this is not a random problem, with over 75% of all flash point incidents concentrated in Spain, Turkey, and Italy, signalling a persistent potential for SOLAS violations in core supply zones.

Note: The full report may be obtained from Integr8 Fuels here.

Photo credit: Integr8 Fuels
Published: 8 July 2025

China Shipping & Sinopec Suppliers Co Ltd (SinoBunker) on Thursday (3 July) said it successfully completed the bunkering operation of dual-fuel container ship COSCO Shipping Yangpu after delivering 200 metric tonnes (mt) of domestic green methanol.   

The operation took place at Yangpu Port, Hainan on 2 July. Cosco Shipping previously deemed the vessel China’s first 16,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ship. 

“This not only marks the official launch of China’s first green methanol fuel application project across the entire industry chain, but also opens a new chapter in the company’s strategy of driving the low-carbon transformation of new marine energy with innovation,” Sinobunker said. 

As the first pilot in China to demonstrate the feasibility of an end-to-end supply chain of production, sales and use of green methanol produced from urban domestic waste, the company said the entire process from collecting biomass raw material to terminal filling was carried out on Hainan Island.

Qin Ling, Director, General Manager and Party Committee Secretary, said: “Sinobunker will take this bunkering operation as a new starting point to deepen the green development strategy, promote the integration of clean energy and the shipping industry to be in better position to serve the national strategy, empower the industry transformation with better services, and assist the global shipping low-carbon process with more practical measures.”

Related: COSCO Shipping names China’s first 16,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ship

Photo credit: China Shipping & Sinopec Suppliers
Published: 4 July, 2025