LOW SULPHUR

China tax changes would not advance clean marine fuel supply until Q2

Chinese oil refiners are not very possible to advance their output of cleaner marine fuels until at least Q2 of 2020, due to the fact that they must upgrade their facilities, even after the government granted tax waivers to enhance output.

According to Reuters, the lack of supply will mean that China will not be capable of helping relieve a regional shortage of very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO). Currently, demand for the cleaner fuel has increased with the start of the 2020 sulphur cap.

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https://safety4sea.com/china-tax-changes-would-not-advance-clean-marine-fuel-supply-until-q2/

New marine fuels blends emit more black carbon than HFO, study says

black carbon

Finland and Germany submitted a study to the IMO’s Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) sub-committee, in order to be revised during its session scheduled for February. This document presents results of a measurement campaign for the analysis of the impact of fuel oil quality on Black Carbon emissions. The results indicate that new blends of marine fuels with 0.50% sulphur content can contain a large percentage of aromatic compounds, which have a direct impact on Black Carbon emissions.

Docume...

https://safety4sea.com/new-marine-fuels-blends-emit-more-black-carbon-than-hfo-study-says/

USCG issues work instruction update on Sulfur Cap enforcement

In fact, it is said that the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC) released work instruction CVC-WI-022 with the aim to provide guidance to Coast Guard marine inspectors as well as port state control officers for ensuring vessel compliance with MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14.

Namely, the work instruction cancels CG-CVC Policy Letter 12-04 Change 1 and includes a Job Aid as an enclosure.

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Specifically, the USCG will continue to enforce the sulfur...

https://safety4sea.com/uscg-issues-work-instruction-update-on-sulfur-cap-enforcement/

NIOPDC fully supplies low-sulfur fuel

In fact, the Managing Director of the National Iranian Oil Product Distribution Company (NIOPDC)’s Markazi Department recently said that low-sulfur fuel oil needed for the country’s vessels is now fully supplied and distributed by the company.

What is more, according to the Tehran Times, the Imam Khomeini Oil Refinery in the Markazi province has allocated separate lines; tanks as well as loading arms to store and ship the needed fuel for the maritime fleet of the Islamic Republic of Iran...

https://safety4sea.com/niopdc-fully-supplies-low-sulfur-fuel/

Supply of low-sulphur fuels rising fast

Reuters reports that global supplies of marine fuel compliant with the new environmental rules are increasing fast as concerns over quality remain marginal.

Despite initial concerns about availability of very low-sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) late last year, the preferred compliant marine fuel supplies at key hubs now seem adequate, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

What is more, concerns that the VLSFO, which is a blend of high-sulphur and low-sulphur fuel, could damage engines are...

https://safety4sea.com/supply-of-low-sulphur-fuels-rising-fast/

MPA: majority of Singapore’s suppliers have VLSFO available

According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) 29 out of 45 Singapore’s licensed bunker suppliers, have readily available 0.50% sulphur fuel oil, with all expect two having IMO 2020-compliant marine gasoil (MGO). Although, there are still several reports that some shipowners are struggling to find very low sulphur fuel (VLSFO).

The new MPA’s list on suppliers’ availability, presents that 29 out of 45 bunkers suppliers have VLSFO available, while 43 of them have marine gas oil...

https://safety4sea.com/mpa-majority-of-singapores-suppliers-have-vlsfo-available/

Suez Canal bans open loop scrubbers

Suez Canal Authority (SCA) made clear that will continue allow ships to use heavy fuel oil (HFO) when transiting through the waterway, without the need of scrubbers, despite the recently IMO introduction of low-sulphur regulations. Specifically, SCA issued a circular in which clarified its stance on scrubbers.

In circular No. 8/2019, Suez Canal states:

In consideration of using fuel oil with low Sulphur content in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI during transit from Suez Canal, you are kindly...

https://safety4sea.com/suez-canal-bans-open-loop-scrubbers/

Increasing prices indicate tight supply of cleaner fuel

The price of VLSFO has increased in recent months, indicating worries that there is not enough of the fuel to comply with sulphur cap, Reuters reports. Namely, VLSFO has began trading at levels that can be compared with marine gasoil.

This fact may be showing that refineries need to rise production of VLSFO, with tankers changing from high-sulphur fuel to cleaner fuels, in order to comply with the IMO sulphur cap.

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What is more, supply has also tightened in...

https://safety4sea.com/increasing-prices-indicate-tight-supply-of-cleaner-fuel/

Port of Houston fails to meet sediment specifications

As the global clean-fuel started to coming into effect from 1st of January, several tests have been carried out by AmSpec Services along with a unit of Lloyd’s Register. Specifically the testing companies examined newer, low-sulfur marine blends acquired in Antwerp, Belgium, Houston and Singapore.

The tests showed that a 60% of the low-sulphur fuel recipes from bunker suppliers near the top U.S. oil port of Houston, failed to follow the sediment specifications, while this could harm the engines...

https://safety4sea.com/port-of-houston-fails-to-meet-sediment-specifications/

Shipowners should be cautious during HSFO de-bunkering amid regulations

As the 2020 sulphur cap came into force on the 1st of January 2020, the shipping industry is still challenged by the de-bunkering methods of heavy sulphur fuel oil, with the pressure of flag states which will begin detecting for non-compliant fuel oils.

The Standard Club analyzed the procedure of de-bunkering HSFO, reminding that although the ban of carrying HSFO will come into force in March 1st, the ban on burning HSFO became effective 1 January.

It is highlighted that the shipping industry...

https://safety4sea.com/shipowners-should-be-cautious-during-hsfo-de-bunkering-amid-new-regulations/

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