China 's recent ban on open - loop scrubber systems is likely to drastically reduce demand for low sulphur marine fuel once it is fully implemented on a wider scale . The ban which went into effect on 1 January covers a limited area , including emission control areas ( ECA ) and most of China 's coastline within 100 nautical miles , but the government is expected to expand it to all territorial waters . The new policy also requires all ocean-going vessels to use bunker fuel with 0.1% sulfur when they are entering inland waterways areas in China, starting January 1, 2020. The new rule will mean that large shipowners with open - loop scrubbers will may not use them in these areas , and instead will use bunker ##s with 0.5 % sulphur content .
China 's recent ban on open - loop scrubber systems is likely to drastically reduce demand for low sulphur marine fuel once it is fully implemented on a wider scale . The ban which went into effect on 1 January covers a limited area , including emission control areas ( ECA ) and most of China 's coastline within 100 nautical miles , but the government is expected to expand it to all territorial waters . The new rule will mean that large shipowners with open - loop scrubbers will may not use them in these areas , and instead will use bunker ##s with 0.5 % sulphur content .