Just as the 0.50% sulphur cap comes into force for international shipping virtually worldwide, Iceland from January 1st 2020 will require ships calling at the island to burn a maximum of 0.1% sulphur content fuel.

Iceland minister for the environment and natural resources Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson said that “vessels can use light types of oil fuel until they switch to other energy sources. I hope this will happen in the near future but heavy fuel oil is the filthiest, therefore it is extremely important to stop its use.”

The Iceland Nature and Conservation Association and the Clean Arctic Alliance welcomed the new regulation, but highlighted that the new rule contained a…