The spread between high and low-sulphur fuel oil has surged to record levels in the days following the implementation of IMO 2020.

The price of very-low-sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) is trading close to twice the value of conventional high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO).

That is expected to provide a fillip for stocks of shipping companies with a high number of of scrubber-fitted vessels, which are expected to earn a charter premium.