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August
2019
23
HYDROCARBON
ENGINEERING
A
s the implementation date for the International
Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Fuels Sulfur
Content regulations draws near, there is ample
ongoing discussion about the role of refiners, how
and whether marine vessel operators will comply, and what
the ramifications might be for non-compliance. While there
is no crystal ball that can provide absolute clarity, this article
will make four predictions about the potential impact of
this new regulation.
The world shipping market consumes approximately
5 million bpd of refined products, two-thirds of which, after
1 January 2020, will no longer be allowed as fuel on
unmodified ocean-going vessels because the sulfur content
is too high.
A typical barrel of crude can range from 2% to 20%
volume dedicated to refining resids, where IMO 2020
requires a global sulfur limit of 0.50% m/m (mass/mass)
– a significant reduction from the current limit of 3.5%.
Bevan Houston, Matrix PDM Engineering, USA,
makes four predictions
on the implementation and impact of the International Maritime
Organization’s Marine Fuels Sulfur Content Regulation.