European refiners lag on IMO 2020

The continent’s crude processors are playing catch-up following the introduction of IMO 2020 regulations on sulphur content in marine fuel

European refiners are, in many cases, reacting retroactively to the introduction of stricter sulphur limits on marine transport fuels. the changes are being made. A study by US firm AspenTech—a software provider for process industries—earlier this year found that European refiners were the least prepared globally for the advent of IMO 2020. Under new International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 2020 regulations introduced at the start of the year, the limit for sulphur content in marine fuel has been reduced to 0.5pc. While bunker fuel typically accounts for a small proportion of refiners’ output, this nonetheless requires them to make changes. And these changes must now be made while facing th