With the implementation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2020 sulfur cap, ship operators have three primary abatement options: (1) switching to low-sulfur fuels, (2) installing sulfur oxide scrubbers, and (3) running on liquefied natural gas (LNG). This study aims to identify the determinants of ship operators’ decisions by applying descriptive statistics and a multinomial logistic regression based on the data obtained from the Clarkson World Fleet Register database. The analysis provides the following key results: First, scrubbers and LNG are more attractive compliance choices for new vessels, while older vessels’ operators prefer low-sulfur fuels. Second, less compliant vessels are more likely to switch to low-sulfur fuels to comply with the regulation. Third, scrubbers, LNG, and low-sulfur fuels are the choices most preferred among tankers, containers, and roll-on/roll-off carriers; gas ships; and offshore ships and ferries, respectively.

随着国际海事组织（IMO）2020硫含量上限的实施，船舶经营者有以下三种主要的减排选择：（1）改用低硫燃料;（2）安装氧化硫洗涤塔;（3）使用液化天然气（ LNG）。这项研究旨在通过基于克拉克森世界船队登记数据库获得的数据，运用描述性统计数据和多项式逻辑回归来确定船舶运营商决定的决定因素。该分析提供了以下主要结果：首先，对于新船，洗涤塔和LNG是更有吸引力的合规选择，而旧船的运营商则更喜欢低硫燃料。其次，不合规的船舶更有可能转向低硫燃料以符合法规要求。第三，洗涤塔，液化天然气，低硫燃料是油轮，集装箱和滚装船的最优选选择；煤气船；和近海轮船。