BIMCO's First 2020 Bunker Clause Fast-Tracked for October

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International shipping association BIMCO is fast-tracking the publishing of its first clause related to the International Maritime Organization’s 2020 sulphur emission rules.

BIMCO will produce several clauses dealing with specific issues relating to IMO 2020, which sets a new limit for the amount of sulphur in fuel oil of 0.5% for ships operating outside designated emission control areas. The new regulation will affect more than 70,000 ships globally.

The new clause, focused on 2020 compliance, has been fast-tracked and may be published as soon as the end of October, BIMCO said in a statement.

The global, sector-focused law firm HFW, as the only law firm on BIMCO’s drafting committee, helped BIMCO draft the first clause. The law firm’s team is led by head of offshore Paul Dean and also includes senior associates Alessio Sbraga and Rory Grout.

“It is a privilege to support BIMCO, the other members of the drafting sub-committee, the wider membership of BIMCO and the shipping community generally on this very important new regulatory requirement,” said Paul Dean, Head of Offshore for HFW.