Shipping delays may occur after the maximum sulphur levels allowed in fuel falls, according to the Geos Group.

The regulated amount will drop from one per cent to 0.1 per cent - a decrease of 90 per cent - in EU Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) in 2015.

Geos predicts the resulting change will see companies and ships switch to low sulphur fuels such as 1,000 parts per million (ppm) marine gas oil (MGO).

"If ships can't get the fuel they need, they can't sail and delays are incurred; schedules are disrupted and costs soar."

It advises vessel owners start considering options now and open discussions with fuel suppliers ahead of SECAs changes.

Writing for Maritime Journal, Barry Newton of Geos further suggests there is "no guarantee" that refineries will be able to produce enough MGO to meet demand.

Ships operating in northern Europe already use MGO and Geos recommends that, while they won't need to change fuel, the increased reliance on the 1,000ppm source will still result in more competition for limited available supply.