Fewer than 2,000 of the world 's 60,000-strong merchant fleet are expected to fit scrubbers to their vessels ahead of 2020 , requiring them to be installed as an alternative to low - sulphur fuel oil ( LSFO ) , according to a report by Swedish financial services group AB . It said shipowners cited the high cost of LSFO compared to traditional heavy fuel oil - $ 580 per tonne versus $ 370 per tonne - as a reason to purchase , while many firms said they were hoping to pass on the additional costs to charterers as a pass - through expense .
Fewer than 2,000 of the world's 60,000-strong merchant fleet are expected to fit scrubbers to their vessels ahead of 2020 legislation requiring them to be installed as an alternative to low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO), according to a report by Swedish financial services group SEB. It said shipowners cited the high cost of LSFO compared to traditional heavy fuel oil - $580 per tonne versus $370 per tonne - as a barrier to adoption, while many firms said they were hoping to pass on the additional costs to charterers as a pass-through expense.