Merchant shipping is a very significant emitter of sulphur oxides (SOx) due to the use of very low-refined fuel with a high sulphur content. The health impact of this fuel is estimated to be around 500,000 premature deaths annually worldwide.

As of January 1, 2020, all merchant ships are required to comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) directive to take on board desulphurized fuel. The sulphur content of the fuel must be reduced from 3.5% to less than 0.5%, which should result in a significant health improvement on the coastline.

The impact on the shipping industry is considerable. The cost of this new fuel is much higher (from 50 to more than 100%) and refuelling problems are expected, especially in the first months of the application of this directive. Problems of incompatibility between fuels are far from being excluded and refineries have to adapt their production abruptly.