Dirty Fuel Demand Jumps With More Pollution Kits on Ships
- HSFO discount to crude has narrowed almost 90% in 2020
- Container shipping is unusually strong for this time of year
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An increase in vessels being fitted with pollution-reducing kits and unusually strong demand for container shipping is providing a boost to the dirtiest marine fuel.
The number of ships fitted with scrubbers rose by 80% from January through to October, despite activity grinding to a halt in February due to the Covid-19 pandemic, said Stephen Gordon, managing director of Clarksons Research. Most have been installed on container and dry bulk vessels, according to data from DNV GL. Ships need scrubbers if they want to burn high-sulfur fuel oil after the start of new rules this year that mandated the use of cleaner-burning fuels.