A.P. Moller-Maersk and Royal Vopak have agreed to a joint initiative to create a dedicated 0,5% sulphur bunkering point in the heart of Rotterdam.
The bunkering point will cater for circa 20% of Maersk global demand.
Fuel Availability
As an anchor tenant in the modified facilities, this agreement will enable Maersk, as well as any other interested third parties, to supply vessels trading with and inside Europe with compliant fuel.
'We trust that this initiative will put to rest some of the concerns the industry has on fuel availability as well as secure our continued competitiveness in the market,' says Niels Henrik Lindegaard, Head of Maersk Oil Trading, a division of A.P. Moller-Maersk.
Quality, Quantity and Compliance
Member states within the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently recognised that there are still some reservations and challenges relating to fuel handling and compatibility and this project plays a key role in providing A.P. Moller-Maersk with supply chain assurance looking at both quality and quantity of the compliant fuel.
The facility, at Vopak Terminal Europoort, is to allow the company to safely blend, store and handle different fuel types to ensure full compliance with the 0,5% sulphur cap.
This long-term commitment with Vopak prepares Maersk for the paradigm-shift of the 2020 IMO rules on sulphur, which will be a game changer for the entire industry.
Picture: Maersk ship in Rotterdam (by Maersk).
