LR launches sulphur compliance cost tool

The ‘options evaluator’ shows potential cost and investment implications for the various compliance strategies, which include marine gas oil, scrubbers with HFO and other compliant fuels including LNG and methanol.

Douglas Raitt, regional consultancy manager Asia, LR, said: “We developed the options evaluator to give some guidance to operators who have not yet fully considered their options to 2020 compliance. To date it appears most operators will transition from fuel oil to gas oil operations. Scrubber uptake, LNG and methanol are slowly evolving, perhaps as a function of a ‘wait and see’ approach by the shipping industry.”

Compliance options can be more or less attractive depending on several factors including trading patterns, distance travelled, speed, size and type of vessels. The tool allows ship operators to compare compliance strategies by reviewing emissions output and comparing capex and opex implications.

Justin Murphy, CEO, International Bunker Industry Association, endorsed the evalutator. “IBIA is fully involved at IMO on all matters marine fuel related,” he said. “This tool, one of a number being developed, is an aid that may complement owners’ and operators’ future efforts to develop a compliance strategy.”

Click here to try the tool.