Sep.12--HAMBURG's heavy lift shipping line Rickmers-Linie has announced it is preparing a low sulphur fuel surcharge to be applied when the new unfunded mandate takes effect January 1.

　　"We are in the process of implementing a Low Sulphur Fuel Surcharge for quotations valid for shipments arriving to or departing from an ECA [Emissions Control Area] on or after 1 January 2015,?said CEO Ulrich Ulrichs.

　　"Low sulphur fuels are more expensive [US$1,000 per tonne vs $600] and growing demand is widely expected to further increase the cost,?he said.

　　ECAs in the US and Canada as well as the North Sea, English Channel and the Baltic Sea will allow a maximum content of sulphur in marine fuels to will be 0.1 per cent, compared to 1.0 per cent today.

　　Outside the ECAs, sulphur content in marine fuels will need to be reduced from the current 3.5 per cent to 0.5 per cent by the year 2020.

　　"As the result of a review by the IMO [UN's International Maritime Organisation] in 2018, this deadline might be postponed to 2025," said the company statement.

　　"While shipping is already the most environmentally friendly mode of transport, the new regulations help to further reduce the impact on the environment and our health,?said Mr Ulrichs. 

　　(Source:shippingazette)