Log in Menu QUOTE BOOK MANAGE New Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) Published on 17 September 2018 Dear customer, From 1st January 2020, a new regulation will come into force to reduce air pollution from ships globally. Whereas today ships can use fuel with up to 3.5% sulphur content (outside Emission Control Areas), the new global sulphur cap will be 0.5%. The regulation has been developed and adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which is a specialized agency under the United Nations (UN). It will reduce sulphur pollution from shipping by more than 80%, and therefore have a very significant positive impact on the environment and human health. Maersk Line fully support the regulation, and our preparations to ensure compliance are well underway. The cost of compliance with the new regulation will be significant, so the cost of shipping will increase. It is also expected that the volatility of fuel costs for shipping will increase as the regulation enters into effect. In order to allow customers to predict, plan and track how changes in fuel price will impact total shipping freight rate, Maersk Line will introduce a simple and predictive Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF). The new BAF will replace the existing Standard Bunker Factor (SBF) and allow customers to simulate and calculate the BAF tariff at any fuel price for a given trade route. The BAF tariff is designed to recover fuel related costs, and it will be charged separately from the basic ocean freight as the fuel cost is a very significant and volatile part of shipping costs. The BAF consists of a trade factor and the fuel price: Fuel price x Trade factor = BAF The fuel price is calculated as the average fuel price in key bunkering ports around the world, whereas the trade factor reflects the average fuel consumption on a given trade as a result of variables like transit time, fuel efficiency and trade imbalance. Please refer to the table below for examples only of the expected trade-specific BAF tariffs at different fuel prices. We have also included more details on the new BAF in the Q&A below. You will be advised of the actual BAF tariffs, which will be reviewed on a quarterly basis. We will introduce the new BAF from 1st January 2019. This will allow you get familiar with how the mechanism works before the new sulphur regulation enter into force in 2020. We want to thank you for your business and look forward to continously serving your global transportation needs. Best regards, Maersk Line EXAMPLES only of BAF tariffs (USD/FFE) for standard (dry) containers at different fuel prices (USD/ton), for selected trades: Questions & Answers on the new BAF: Category: ADVISORIES Keywords: FEATURED