Newsletters | Request Trial | Log in | Advertise | Digital Issue   |   Search
  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search
Related Articles
Letter from London: Shipping GHG targets not all plain sailing
The IMO’s ambitious emission goals are still reliant on as-yet unproven technology
More change ahead for the shipping sector
An unwinding of some Covid-related effects might challenge VLSFO’s initial IMO 2020 win
Liberian Registry hits out at proposed EU ETS shipping extension
The world’s second-largest vessel registering service opposes what it sees as European overreach
IMO alters competing fuels’ price dynamics
Buyers of marine fuels may need to think harder about their decision-making when considering what to put in their vessels
Middle East expansion further clouds global refining picture
Challenges to refiners are myriad. Another boost in Mid-East Gulf capacity brings more complexity
The IMO 2020 story so far
The new rules on sulphur content of shipping fuels came into force this year. This article revisits 2018 predictions to see what turned out as expected and what surprised
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
China targets Singapore bunkering
Chinese tax reform will trigger a gradual shift in the bunker fuel market away from Asia’s dominant hub
IMO 2020 promises widespread disruption
Large-scale changes in refinery operations will be just one of the major changes the new regulations will bring to the energy landscape
Marine fuel regulation change to create African winners and losers
The African upstream may be well placed to benefit from IMO 2020, but it poses significant wider risks to the region
IMO 2020
Reid I’Anson
3 January 2020
Follow @PetroleumEcon
Forward article link
Share PDF with colleagues

IMO 2020 to beckon in a new reality

The new regulations are poised to change shipping markets forever. Some participants may handle the new regulatory environment better than others

IMO 2020 will radically change shipping market supply/demand dynamics. The basis of the new regulations is simple–to reduce sulphur emissions by tightening the requirements around allowable fuels any given seagoing vessel can burn. In technical terms, this means cutting sulphur content to 0.5pc, down from 3.5pc at present. High sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) demand will, in part, be forced to shift towards cleaner alternatives, namely marine gasoil and low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO). LNG is also an option, albeit uptake will be limited.  Advantage West Africa  A barrel of crude oil is associated with a wide variety of classifications that can range from light-sweet (thin, low sulphur) to heavy-sour (d

Also in this section
India ready for turbulent times
23 July 2025
The country’s energy minister explains in an exclusive interview how the country is taking a pragmatic and far-sighted approach to energy security and why he has great confidence in its oil sector
Albania’s long pursuit of gas
23 July 2025
Gas is unlikely to assume a major role in Albania’s energy mix for years to come, but two priority projects are making headway and helping to establish the sector
Ammonia ambitions to help drive gas demand
22 July 2025
The gas-hungry sector is set for rapid growth, and oil majors and some of the world’s largest LNG firms are investing in ammonia production and export facilities, though much depends on regulatory support
WPC Energy to promote role of women
22 July 2025
Next year’s WPC Energy Congress taking place in April in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will continue to promote the role of women in the energy sector, with a number of events focusing on the issue.

Share PDF with colleagues

Rich Text Editor, message-text
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: PDF sharing is permitted internally for Petroleum Economist Gold Members only. Usage of this PDF is restricted by <%= If(IsLoggedIn, User.CompanyName, "")%>’s agreement with Petroleum Economist – exceeding the terms of your licence by forwarding outside of the company or placing on any external network is considered a breach of copyright. Such instances are punishable by fines of up to US$1,500 per infringement
Send

Forward article Link

Rich Text Editor, txt-link-message
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
Send
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Project Data
Maps
Podcasts
Social Links
Featured Video
Home
  • About us
  • Subscribe
  • Reaching your audience
  • PE Store
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact us
  • Privacy statement
  • Cookies
  • Sitemap
All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws © 2025 The Petroleum Economist Ltd
Cookie Settings
;

Search

  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search