Stena Line is currently engaging with freight customers on its Irish Sea routes to advise them of an important International Maritime Organisation (IMO) environmental regulation which will come into effect on 1^st January 2020.

The goal of the Global Sulphur Cap 2020 Regulation is to significantly and progressively reduce sulphur emissions within all areas of international shipping and applies to all ship operators world-wide.  A number of regulations have been introduced over the past years aimed at making the shipping industry more environmentally friendly, such as the 2015 sulphur cap in the English Channel, North Sea and Baltic Sea. This new mandatory cap of 0.5% sulphur in ships’ fuel will now require all operators on the Irish Sea to ensure reduced emissions by switching to low sulphur fuels from 1^st January 2020.

The new industry regulation will see operating costs increase outside of Stena Line’s control.

As a result, at the start of the new year all freight shipments on Stena Line’s Irish Sea routes will be subject to a higher fuel charge, in order to cover the additional costs incurred. Further details on these costs can be found on Stena Line’s freight website via this link: https://www.stenalinefreight.com/bunker-charge

Stena Line is the largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea, offering the biggest fleet and the widest choice of routes, with 238 weekly crossings between Ireland, Britain and France. These include: Belfast to Liverpool, Belfast to Heysham, Belfast to Cairnryan, Dublin to Holyhead, Rosslare to Fishguard and Rosslare to Cherbourg.

More information is available on www.stenalinefreight.com

Stena Line

About the Author: John Loughran