· Executive Commercial Manager Edwin Lammers calls for unity among global leaders
· IMO requires sulphur in fuel to be reduced to 0.1% in Sulphur Emissions Control Areas
· Reducing costs and potential safety risks should be prioritised ahead of 2015 fuel switch
Image: Oiltanking Odfjell storage facilities at SOHAR Port and Freezone. The storage tanks have a capacity of 1.36m cbm.
With
new International Maritime Organisation regulations requiring cargo
ships to cut the level of sulphur oxide in fuel supplies to 0.1 percent
by 1 January 2015,
SOHAR Port and Freezone Executive Commercial Manager Edwin Lammers
called on world leaders within the global shipping industry to join
forces in their search for innovative testing methods, quality control,
fuel efficiency, and risk management practices.
While
SOHAR currently falls outside of the Sulphur Emissions Control Areas in
which the new low sulphur fuels will be required, its position at the
crossroads between East and West and rapidly expanding business
interests mean many of the ships that use its world-class bunkering
facilities will be required to adhere to the new ruling. And, with
shipping lines around the world bracing for the additional costs
associated with the switch, Mr. Lammers was keen to highlight the
abundance of low-cost energy at the logistical hub.
Speaking ahead of RESCON2014, Mr. Lammers said:
“Reducing
the sulphur content in shipping fuel has obvious benefits for the
environment and will no doubt bring about a substantial reduction in the
carbon footprint of the world’s cargo fleet. However, if refining
processes are not fully prepared for the shift, reducing sulphur content
has the potential to increase the cost of refining processes, affect
cat fines that can lead to damaged engines, and in the worst case
scenario, increase the risk of flashpoints in marine gasoil that could
lead to onboard explosions,” said Mr. Lammers.
“As
global leaders, we will need to work together to ensure the industry is
prepared, and minimise the impact of these potential risks. At the same
time, we will need to work hard to keep costs down – especially given
the almost immediate demand for low sulphur MGO that will begin at the
start of next year and the addition blending that will be required to
reduce sulphur content during the refining process. At SOHAR we are
fortunate to have an abundance of low-cost energy, but globally it is
quite the opposite,” he said.
Having
recently boosted its in port bunkering services with the addition of a
6,000mt IFO barge and 500cbm gasoil barge, SOHAR is home to some of the
world’s most experienced bunkering service and liquid bulk storage
facilities. This includes Omanoil Matrix Marine Services LLC (MXO), an
independent joint venture between Germany’s Matrix Marine Holding and
Oman Oil and the company responsible for bringing the new barges to
SOHAR; and world-leading liquid bulk terminal operators, Oiltanking
Odfjell.
With
an existing tank capacity of 1,366,640cbm, Oiltanking Odfjell combines
the expertise of two of the world’s leading storage providers for
petroleum products, chemicals, and gases. Its terminal combines multiple
deep-water berths with a flexible system and high pump capacity, and
the joint venture is set to manage ex-pipe fuel services provided
through an exclusive 43,000cbm storage agreement with MXO.
