The UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) has confirmed that the global shipping industry will be required to burn fuel with less than 0.5% sulfur content beginning 1 January 2020, a sharp reduction from the 3.5% sulfur limit in place since 2012.

While the new ruling is not a shock – the 0.5% limit was first agreed in 2008 and a target date of 2020 was proposed – the IMO was also considering deferring the introduction date to 2025, depending on the results of a study completed recently. (CONTINUED - 722 WORDS)