Foreguard Shipping managing director Alan Hatton expects operators of smaller-size ships to face less IMO 2020 volatility as few such vessels will be scrubber-fitted.

This is in contrast to the larger-size segments, where scrubber-equipped vessels may or may not have the competitive edge over vessels that will run on low-sulphur fuel.

Speaking at a Moore Stephens forum in Singapore, Hatton said the smaller-size sectors are somewhat insulated as most vessels that operate in these markets will not be fitted with scrubbers.