US Backs 2020 Sulphur Cap Experience-Building Phase

The Trump administration supports the establishment of an experience-building phase (EBP) for the global sulphur cap set to enter into force in January 2020.

The EBP was proposed in a paper cosponsored by the Bahamas, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, BIMCO, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO, which was submitted to the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) 73 taking place this week in London.

“The United States supports an experience building phase, which has been proposed by several other countries, in IMO 2020 in order to mitigate the impact of precipitous fuel cost increases on consumers,” Reuters reported citing the White House spokesman.

The EBP is intended as an institutionalized data gathering measure, the aim of which was to provide “greater transparency and detailed information on the compliance situation after January 1, 2020.”

The paper was drawn in anticipation of a number of challenges with the transition to the 0.50% global fuel oil sulphur limit and potential safety risks resulting from new blends or new fuel types. The measure does not seek the delay of the entrance into force of the sulphur cap.

What is more, the IMO has reiterated a number of times that the enforcement date would not be pushed.

MEPC 73 gathered on Monday, October 22, in London to discuss several initiatives including the ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil in the Arctic, establishing of an EBP for the 2020 sulphur cap as well as discussing a global speed limit for ships.

On Monday, the committee approved the follow-up program for IMO’s strategy on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

The follow-up program  is intended to be used as a planning tool in meeting the timelines identified in the initial IMO strategy, which includes a range of candidate short-, mid- and long term measures yet to be considered.

World Maritime News Staff