For decades now,ship owners around the world have largely relied on intermediate or heavy fuel oil to power the main engines of their oceangoing ships.Widely available and relatively cheap,these fuel oils have also been used by refiners to provide an outlet for the sulphur generated through the processing of sour crude oils.So,when the International Maritime Organisation(IMO)decided in 2008 to put a cap on the level of sulphur oxide(SOx)emissions that would be permitted,there was consternation if not outright disbelief.Indeed,there were many who doubted whether the 2020 deadline set by IMO could be met.IMO had left the door open slightly,saying it would review the date in light of the likely availability of low-sulphur fuel,only to slam it shut in 2016 when it confirmed the 2020 date.
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