Instead of switching to cleaner-burning alternatives such as marine gasoil and low-sulphur fuel oil, many shippers have installed exhaust gas cleaning devices known as scrubbers to continue using high-sulphur fuel oil. FUEL OIL DEMAND SURGES PAST EXPECTATIONSIn 2020, the IEA had forecast fuel oil demand would grow by just 1.6% between 2019 and 2025 — the slowest pace among major refined fuels. RED SEA DIVERSIONS, SHADOW FLEETMore ships now travel around the Cape of Good Hope instead of the Suez Canal, boosting fuel oil demand, as conflict in the Red Sea continues. Despite forecasts by the IEA showing fuel oil demand declining after 2026, averaging 6.1 million bpd by 2030, opposition to IMO regulations could sustain demand. "Fuel oil demand will be sticky for, at least, the end of this decade," said Kenneth Tveter of shipbroker Clarksons.