With the expansion of the novel coronavirus epidemic, internationally, cargoes, containers and transportation facilities from China are under control. The shipping industry, which is the main form of transportation in the global economy and trade, bears the brunt. The serious shortage of demand and the failure to return to work are all the severe challenges faced by shipping companies, such as suspension of operations and tight capital flow.
 
Once the shipping enterprises can not resume normal production for a long time or withdraw from the shipping industry in a large range, it will have a significant impact on employment, international trade and commodity circulation.
 
On February 20, CSA asked the shipping companies for the impact and suggestions of the epidemic on the shipping industry, which has been reported to the relevant departments of the State Council.
 
One of them is a proposal to explore whether the IMO ’s Global Sulphur Cap 2020 should be suspended in Chinese waters under the current severe epidemic situation,Chinese shipping companies are allowed to use cheaper traditional marine fuel oil to reduce the impact of the novel coronavirus epidemic on the Chinese shipping industry and ease the economic burden on shipping companies.
 
Zhang Shouguo, executive vice president of China Shipowners’ Association, said that the proposal not only considered the current difficult economic situation of shipping companies, but also considered the potential shortage of low sulfur oil supply under the epidemic.
 
On the eve of the official implementation of the "Sulphur Cap" on January 1, 2020, several countries, including Greece, the Philippines and Indonesia, have unilaterally announced that they have postponed the implementation of the "Sulfur Restriction Order" in their own countries.
 
China Shipowners’ Association has submitted the letter to the relevant departments of the State Council on "the impact of the novel coronavirus epidemic on the shipping industry and suggestions". Zhang Shouguo finally said that whether the proposal could be finalized would depend on the state's further decision-making.
 

Source: Sarah Yu,XINDE MARINE NEWS

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