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The Maritime Industry Authority is suspending the implementation of the International Maritime Organization’s 0.50% sulfur cap on marine fuel oil in domestic ships while the country is under a state of national energy emergency
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Shipowners/shipping lines using IMO 2020-compliant fuel may revert to the use of bunker fuel or other fuels
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Shipowners/shipping lines that have secured approval for their ship specific implementation plans but are unable to temporarily comply due to fuel supply constraints/sudden price hikes will be allowed one year postponement/extension of transition
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Shipowners/shipping companies who are not yet compliant will be given one year from the issuance of MARINA Advisory No. 2026-26 to comply, subject to MARINA’s approval
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The suspension under remains in force until normal fuel supply conditions are restored
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is suspending the implementation of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 0.50% sulfur cap on marine fuel oil in domestic ships while the country is under a state of national energy emergency.
Alternative guidelines for ship owners/shipping companies have been issued under MARINA Advisory (MA) No. 2026-26 while MARINA Circular (MC) No. SR-2020-06 and MA No. 2024-35 are suspended.
MC No. SR-2020-06 mandates the implementation of the IMO sulfur cap policy while MA No. 2024-35 provides supplemental guidelines on the implementation, monitoring and enforcement of MC No. SR-2020-06.
IMO’s International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention) Annex VI requires all ships in non-emission control area zones to limit the sulfur content of their fuels from 3.50% to 0.50% by January 1, 2020. The Philippines ratified MARPOL Annex VI in 2018.
READ: MARINA issues supplemental rules on adoption of sulfur cap
The IMO sulfur cap policy, also known as IMO 2020, took effect in 2020 for international vessels while for domestic ships, MARINA decided to implement the rule in January 2025 to help ease the cost impact on domestic shipping companies and give oil suppliers time to acquire their supplies of compliant fuels.
According to MA No. 2026-26, the suspension is in response to Executive Order (EO) No. 110, which declared a state of national energy emergency and directed concerned government agencies to implement necessary response measures to mitigate the effects of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
With the suspension, shipowners/shipping lines using IMO 2020-compliant fuel can revert to the use of bunker fuel or other fuels to help stabilize and rationalize available fuel in the market during the state of national energy emergency.
Shipowners/shipping lines that have secured approval for their ship specific implementation plans (SIP), whose ships have already converted to compliant systems and/or whose ships are scheduled to undergo transition this year but are unable to temporarily comply due to fuel supply constraints/sudden price hikes, will be allowed one year postponement/extension of transition.
The SIP refers to the ship’s transition plan in preparation for the compliance with the use of low-sulfur fuel oil.
Moreover, shipowners/shipping companies who have not yet complied with MA No. 2024-35 will be given one year from the issuance of MA No. 2026-26 to comply, subject to MARINA’s approval.
“Notwithstanding these, all shipowners/companies are enjoined to adopt fuel efficiency measures, and best environmental practices, as well as maintaining accurate oil record books, bunker delivery notes, and other fuel documentation onboard, in accordance with existing MARINA regulations and MARPOL Annex VI requirements,” MA No. 2026-26 noted.
MA No. 2026-26 remains in force until normal fuel supply conditions are restored.
READ: MARINA rolls back cap for passenger, cargo rates hike to 30%
Aside from this, MARINA has also been implementing regulatory relief and support measures to cushion domestic shipping from the impact of rising global fuel prices. These include, among others, a 75% discount on select regulatory fees, reduction of annual tonnage fees, suspension of implementation of new higher MARINA administrative fees and charges, and allowing a 30% increase in passenger and cargo rates for domestic shipping operators.— Roumina Pablo
