IMO 2020’s prime aim is to clean the air we breathe of poisonous sulphur in exhaust gases spewing from ships’ funnels. Early indications suggest the industry is making a strong effort to comply with the new rules — but there are also signs of hidden problems emerging.

Danish bunker supplier Monjasa reported a surge in sales of very low-sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) in the opening weeks of the year.