Swiss-headquartered MSC expects to pay over $2 billion a year in fuel costs due to tougher global marine fuel rules and will introduce a bunker charge next year to recoup expenses, the world’s number two container line said. UN agency the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will prohibit ships from using fuels with sulfur content above 0.5 percent from Jan. 1, 2020, compared with 3.5 percent today, unless they are equipped with exhaust gas cleaning systems, known as scrubbers, to clean up sulfur emissions. For shipping companies struggling from years of weaker earnings, the new regulations are expected to mean more cost pressure. “MSC has estimated that the cost of the various changes we are making to our fleet and its fuel supply is in excess […]