South Korean ports: From January 1 next year, ships will be banned from using fuel oil with sulfur content exceeding 0.5%.

Recently, South Korea issued a notice that from January 1, 2022, all ships sailing in South Korean ports are not allowed to use fuel oil with a sulfur content of more than 0.
5%, except for
ships that apply to the SOx emission control zone of the 0.
1% limit.

Under the 2019 Special Law on Air Quality Improvement in Harbor Areas, no vessel berthing or anchored in the SOx emission control zones of South Korea, including Incheon, Pyeongtaek, Karatsu, Ulsan, Yeosu, Gwangyang and Busan, must not consume fuel
oil containing more than 0.
1% (wt%) of sulfur.
This regulation will be effective from September 1, 2020 until December 31, 2021
.

From 1 January 2022, the sulphur content limit will be extended to all vessels
entering the SOx emission control zone.

Ships sailing through this designated port area shall record information such as fuel oil replacement in the turbine log and keep it on board for not less than 12 months from the date of delivery of the fuel oil (Article 10).

Shipowners who violate the law may face an administrative fine of up to 1,000,000 won (Article 24
).

Article 44 of the Marine Environmental Management Act of the Republic of Korea sets out a consistent position that from January 1, 2022, all ships sailing in Korean ports shall not consume fuel oil with a sulfur content of more than 0.
5%, except for ships in SOx emissions, and any violation of this law may result in a fine of up to 10 million won or imprisonment for up to 1 year (Article 129).