The history behind IMO2020
In 2008, the United Nations’ International Marine Organization (IMO) implemented the Sulphur Directive to reduce the content of sulphur in marine fuel.
From 2012, the maximum allowable sulphur content in marine fuel was set at 3.5 percent worldwide. Already by 2015, the Baltic Sea, North Sea and English Channel was further protected as a special ECA zone (emission control area), where the limit was set as low as 0.1 percent.
ECA zones:
- Baltic Sea area
- North Sea area (incl.English Channel)
- North American area
- US Caribbean Sea area
Source: UN/IMO - Sulphur oxices and Particulate Matter - Regulation 14
About the IMO
IMO – International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations’ specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.
The IMO body of laws for sulphur contents in marine fuel has become known as “The Global Sulphur Cap”.
Read more about the Sulphur 2020 regulation
Source: The International Maritime Organisation, IMO.org