Shippers are signaling that there will be tough negotiations ahead over who will pay for new IMO 2020-compliant low sulfur fuel oil (LSFO). At current pricing, compliant fuel costs roughly twice as much as the heavy fuel oil that most ships could legally burn until last week. With the IMO 2020 sulfur limit now in effect, the Global Shippers Forum (GSF) has issued advice for importers and exporters facing new demands for surcharges from ocean carriers, which are attempting to pass some or all of the added cost of low-sulfur fuel to their customers in the form of special-purpose surcharges. More information: Maritime Executive
