The Shipowners’ P&I Club issued an update to its Members discussing MARPOL’s 1 January 2020 deadline, after which the permitted limits for sulphur content in vessels’ bunker fuel were reduced from 3.50% mass by mass (m/m) to 0.50% m/m for vessels operating outside designated Emission Control Areas (‘Global Sulphur Cap’).
The Club anticipates that the recent implementation of the Global Sulphur Cap will result in an increased number of commercial disputes between Members and associated parties, including charterers, bunker suppliers and fitters of scrubbers.
Cameron Shepherd, the Club’s Claims Executive, sets out the types of disputes that may potentially arise over the coming months and how cover can assist Members in pursuing or resisting any subsequent claims.