At press briefing alongside SMM 2018 the Japanese classification society said of 9,101 ships that it classes around 150 were either fitted or going to install scrubbers. This means that most owners are planning to use low sulphur fuels to comply with the 0.5% sulphur cap that comes into force globally on 1 January 2020.
Low sulphur fuels are likely to be achieved through blending by suppliers and refineries which can give additional problems in terms of operations.
Read more: Seatrade Maritime News is reporting live from SMM 2018
ClassNK said had accumlated knowledge of fuel problems over 30 years and published guides to the use of problem fuels in 1996 and 2008. In the first half of 2019 it plans to publish “Guidance for onboard use of Compliant Fuel Oil with SOx regulation”.
The guide will cover an investigation and analysis of recent fuel problems, identification of potential risks, and preventative and counter measures that owners can take.
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