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From January 1, 2020, the permitted maximum sulfur content in the fuel used by ships is 500 ppm (0.5% m/m) outside the ECAs. Until then the sulfur content was permitted to a maximum of 3.5% m/m. The ships that use higher sulfur fuel than 0.5% m/m must have an exhaust gas cleaning system (“scrubber”) installed.

If a member state of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI on Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships decides to delay the implementation of the sulfur limit, it has to submit the amendment to the IMO, and MARPOL IV would have to be amended. SGS INSPIRE reported that in October, 2019, Russia expressed a wish to delay the sulfur limit for internal waters. Considering the difficulties to change the convention, it is to be seen if