Indonesia will not enforce IMO sulphur rule on domestic fleet

From 1 January 2020 under the IMO global regulation, all ships will have to burn bunker fuels with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5%, down from the current cap of 3.5%.

“Fuel price for fuel with a maximum of 0.5% is more expensive and will increase operational cost of the ship, that will affect the logistics costs and prices of goods,” an official told Reuters.

“We always put forward national interest as consideration in making the decision,” the official added.

Read more: Availability of compliant fuels remains a concern: Intercargo

Indonesian-flagged ships plying international routes, however, will need to comply with the IMO Marpol Annex VI regulation on curbing sulphur emissions from ships. Foreign-flagged vessels in Indonesian waters will also need to comply with IMO 2020.

The IMO Marpol Annex VI regulation applies to all ships, both international voyage ships and domestic voyage ships.