Industry figures met with government representatives today (September 10th) to discuss the availability of low-sulphur fuel (LSF) as part of London Shipping Week.

Secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Koji Sekimizu hosted the event with shipping minister Stephen Hammond.

IMO put measures in place to limit sulphur emissions from shipping in 2008. The fuel limit in those seas not designated as emission control areas (ECA) is currently at 3.5 per cent sulphur, but will reduce to 0.5 per cent from January 1st 2020 after a review of the availability of LSF.

Mr Sekimizu said: "It is important for IMO to act now to have a clear picture on the availability of the required quantity of the LSF as soon as possible."

He added that, while the review has to be finished by 2018, nothing is preventing it from being completed in advance.

The IMO currently has three ECAs in effect, which already have strict limits on fuel pollutants. These are the Baltic and North seas, with control sulphur oxides, and the North American area which also focuses on nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

If the review indicates that there is not enough LSF, the changes will be postponed until 2025.