The liner industry is inching towards a collective solution on how to pass on the potential $15bn cost of low-sulphur fuel.

Maersk Line has emerged as the second operator to unveil plans to make shippers pay extra due to the higher price of low-sulphur fuel after 2020.

The containership operating subsidiary of AP Moller-­Maersk unveiled its blueprint for a $2bn-per-year surcharge on Monday, less than two weeks after Hapag-­Lloyd ­announced plans to pass on ­extra fuel costs of around $1bn to ­shippers.