As from January 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is implementing a global 0.5% limit on the sulphur content of fuel, commonly known as the global sulphur cap. This limit is the latest policy in the efforts to reduce sulphur emissions from shipping, following the designation of emission control areas (ECAs) and other regional regulations. In this paper, a literature review is conducted of academic studies that have dealt with issues relating to the reduction of maritime sulphur emissions. Various recurring research themes are identified, spanning the areas of operations research, maritime economics and transport policy. The effects and implications of available compliance options are then analyzed from the perspectives of ship operators, shippers and consumers. Using lessons learned from the enforcement of ECA regulations, this is followed by an appraisal of various potential issues related to the enforcement of these new global regulations. It is found that a homogeneous enforcement regime is required to ensure a level playing field amongst ship operators and that the global sulphur cap may lead to serious market distortion, due to the potential short term rise of fuel prices. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations for future research on sulphur emissions from shipping in the aftermath of the global cap and, looking forward, to its relationship to the IMO strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) shipping emissions.

自2020年1月起，国际海事组织（IMO）正在对燃料中的硫含量实施全球0.5％的限制，通常称为全球硫含量上限。在指定排放控制区（ECA）和其他区域法规之后，此限制是努力减少运输中硫排放的最新政策。在本文中，对涉及减少海洋硫排放问题的学术研究进行了文献综述。确定了各种重复出现的研究主题，涵盖了运筹学，海洋经济学和运输政策等领域。然后从船舶经营者，托运人和消费者的角度分析可用合规方案的影响和含义。利用从执行ECA法规中学到的经验教训，接下来，对与这些新的全球法规的执行有关的各种潜在问题进行评估。发现需要采取统一的执法制度，以确保船舶经营者之间的公平竞争环境，并且由于燃油价格可能短期上涨，全球硫磺上限可能导致严重的市场扭曲。本文最后提出了一系列建议，供全球上限之后对船运中的硫排放进行进一步研究，并期待其与IMO减少温室气体（GHG）船运排放战略的关系。发现需要采取统一的执法制度，以确保船舶经营者之间的公平竞争环境，并且由于燃料价格可能短期上涨，全球硫磺上限可能导致严重的市场扭曲。本文最后提出了一系列建议，供全球上限之后对船运中的硫排放进行进一步研究，并期待其与IMO减少温室气体（GHG）船运排放战略的关系。发现需要采取统一的执法制度，以确保船舶经营者之间的公平竞争环境，并且由于燃油价格可能短期上涨，全球硫磺上限可能导致严重的市场扭曲。本文最后提出了一系列建议，供全球上限之后对船运中的硫排放进行进一步研究，并期待其与IMO减少温室气体（GHG）船运排放战略的关系。