A new international study led by the UK’s National Centre for Atmospheric Science shows that global sulphur restrictions on marine fuel have reduced ship emissions dramatically since IMO 2020 took effect. Measurements taken from aircraft and ground stations across the North-East Atlantic and European waters between 2019 and 2023 found that sulphur content in ship fuel has fallen nearly tenfold. Only a small number of vessels were found breaching the 0.5% global cap, a sharp improvement from widespread exceedances under the previous 3.5% limit. In Europe’s Sulphur Emission Control Areas, sulphur levels were even lower, well within the stricter 0.1% standard. The research confirms that ships now emit roughly seven times less sulphur, marking a major gain for coastal air quality and public health.
