The number of exhaust scrubber systems installed on container ships is growing and currently covers 10 % of the global fleet by twenty - foot equivalent unit ( TEU ) capacity , according to maritime consultant Drewry . Several carriers , such as MSC and Evergreen , view the scrubber system as a more cost - effective option than low - sulphur fuel to comply with the IMO 's 0.5 % emission limit on fuel , which comes into force in 2020 . Drewry also highlighted a potential benefit to the industry from the IMO 2020 regulations in terms of a tightening of supply. With the spread between low - sulphur fuel and traditional marine fuels potentially reaching $ 200-$250 per metric tonne ( mt ) , over 40 % of newly - built ships are now being fitted with scrubbers to avoid high fuel costs .
The number of exhaust scrubber systems installed on container ships is growing and currently covers 10 % of the global fleet by twenty - foot equivalent unit ( TEU ) capacity , according to maritime consultant Drewry . Several carriers , such as MSC and Evergreen , view the scrubber system as a more cost - effective option than low - sulphur fuel to comply with the IMO 's 0.5 % emission limit on fuel , which comes into force in 2020 . With the spread between low - sulphur fuel and traditional marine fuels potentially reaching $ 200-$250 per metric tonne ( mt ) , over 40 % of newly - built ships are now being fitted with scrubbers to avoid high fuel costs .