Extra wording is to be added to the Baltic Exchange's index descriptions to clarify that benchmark bulkers are not fitted with scrubbers, after hotly debated consultation process.

The words “non-scrubber fitted vessel” will be added to the Baltic’s descriptions for capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize vessels, effective from 1 April.

No changes were deemed necessary for the existing fuel reference in the Baltic’s timecharter indices, which represents the physical fuels a vessel is required to burn up to a limit of 380cst.