Sweden will fine high-sulphur ships
After years of preparatory work, the Swedish government has now finally introduced economic sanctions on ships using illegal high-sulphur fuel. The minimum penalty fee is SEK 5,000 (€482) and the maximum SEK 500,000 (€48,200). The higher the engine power and the fuel sulphur content, the higher the penalty. If a company continues to violate the rules the fee can be doubled, potentially reaching SEK 1 million.
As from 1 January 2015, EU legislation as well as rules set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) require ships to use fuels with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.1 per cent when entering the North Sea and Baltic Sea, which are designated as sulphur emission control areas. In comparison, the sulphur standard for most of the rest of world is currently 3.5 per cent, but will come down to 0.5 per cent as from 2020.
Source: Press release from the Swedish Ministry of Environment, 1 June 2018