- DNV GL estimates around 4,000 ships will be using scrubbers due to IMO 2020 regulations.
- DNV GL observes some stakeholders are anticipating an accelerated uptake of scrubbers again as the payback for larger ships.
Classification society DNV GL reported an estimated 4,000 ships (operational and on order) will be using scrubbers due to IMO 2020 regulations, reports Manifold Times.
The enforcement of the global sulphur cap on 1 January 2020 has resulted in a major shift in the bunker fuel market, it added.
Low sulphur fuels or Scrubbers
The majority of vessels are using compliant low-sulphur fuels, while a small, but growing, share of the fleet has opted to consume liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel.
An alternative option available is the use of scrubbers, which allow for the continued use of low-cost high-sulphur fuel oil.
Until the spring of 2018, only about 400 vessels mainly operating in Emissions Control Areas installed scrubbers, said DNV GL.
However, from the summer of 2018 until September 2019, orders accelerated quickly with more than 3,000 vessels corresponding to approximately 15% of global marine fuel consumption selecting to use scrubbers.
Lesser scrubber installations
Since then, DNV GL has observed the number of new orders has grown somewhat more slowly, with approximately 4,000 ships (operational and on order) recorded with scrubbers in March 2020.
Although the price spread between HSFO and 0.50% VLSFO has narrowed significantly and quicker than many expected, DNV GL observes some stakeholders are anticipating an accelerated uptake of scrubbers again as the payback for larger ships in particular should still be attractive.
However, it remains to be seen, if scrubbers will prove to be the compliance option of choice for more ship owners than today, and how future regulations will impact the scrubber market.
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Source: Manifold Times
