Review on impacts of low sulfur regulations on marine fuels and compliance options

As the shipping industry grows, emissions of pollutants also increase. The international maritime organization sets regulations to reduce the environmental impact of shipping. The new IMO 2020 regulations limit the sulfur content in marine bunker fuels to 0.5 wt%. This review covers the details of regulations set for each emission type and methods used to control emissions from ships. Different conventional and non-conventional desulfurization methods are discussed for treating bunker fuel to satisfy the requirements set by the IMO. It also discusses the compliance options using non-petroleum fuels such as liquefied natural gas, alcohol-based fuels, hydrogen, ammonia, biofuels, and solar power. The advantages and disadvantages of each of these alternatives are discussed. Currently, the use of low sulfur residual blends is becoming a short-term solution to phase out high sulfur heavy fuel oils. Liquefied natural gas, methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia seem to be viable candidates to comply with the global sulfur cap. Green ammonia, as a zero-carbon bunker fuel is anticipated to meet both the GHG and sulfur reduction targets beyond 2030.

Automated summary

With the growth of the shipping industry comes an increase in emissions of pollutants, prompting the International Maritime Organization to set regulations aimed at reducing the environmental impact of shipping. The new IMO 2020 regulations restrict the sulfur content in marine bunker fuels to 0.5%, with various compliance options and alternative fuels being discussed as potential solutions to meet these regulations.