22AUG2019 - NEWS - As pressure grows, Indonesia backs down on IMO 2020 defiance

The Indonesian government appears to have made a complete u-turn on its announcement last month to allow its flag-state vessels to continue to consume fuel with a 3.5% sulphur content after the IMO’s 0.5% sulphur cap comes into force on 1 January.

According to Reuters, Indonesia’s ministry of transportation has confirmed that IMO 2020 requirements will apply to “all Indonesian-flagged vessels starting 1 January 2020, both for domestic and foreign shipping”.

The same government ministry just three weeks ago suggested that, because of the indirect threat of an increase in prices for consumer goods from the higher cost of fuel used by ships, it would allow its flag-state vessels to continue to burn 3.5% sulphur content within its coastal waters after 1 January “until the cost and availability of compliant fuel improves”.

The change of heart follows warnings from the IMO that a member state “cannot simply opt out” of the new regulations.