BIMCO concern over data on available fuel

The IMO study assessed the relevant availability of fuel oil has failed to fully address the IMO’s terms of reference in key areas.

Lars Robert Pedersen, deputy secretary general at BIMCO, said: “It is clear that the IMO study is flawed, meaning it is not possible to determine from the study that there would be sufficient fuel available in 2020.”

He added: “On that basis, our opinion is that it would be irresponsible for IMO to make the decision to go for 2020 at MEPC 70 in October.”

“There is clearly a need for additional analysis to ensure the supply chain for global trade is not seriously disrupted and developing nations are not hit hard by a lack of affordable energy.”

BIMCO believed the study failed to address fuel oil quality, with a significant amount of the fuel oil that the IMO study concludes will be available for marine use is unsafe to store and use onboard ships.

As well as, on how an assessed shortage of sulphur removal capacity in refineries will be resolved so that capacity would be in place by 2020.

As well as this it says the study fails to model the disruption that an overnight introduction of the global cap (from 31 December 2019) would cause.

Mr Pedersen added: “This is not about the cost of low sulphur fuel for ships – that has long been known.”

“We know that the shipping industry will buy the fuel they need. But if it is in short supply, the cost will rise not just for shipping but for all users of the fuel. This will price those in poorer economies out of the market.”

BIMCO have funded an independent supplementary study assess the availability of marine fuel, which addresses all the above issues.

This study concluded that it is unlikely that there will be sufficient low sulphur fuel available in 2020, while maintaining uninterrupted supply of fuel to all other sectors of the global economy.

“It’s a complex issue – but the difficulties in ensuring sufficient refinery capacity and the disruption caused by an overnight introduction have to be thoroughly taken into account,” concluded Mr Pedersen.