November 1 is set as the “Transition Date” to the lower sulfur IMO grade fuel for Shipping companies, says an article published in Ship & Bunker.
The transition date
That date has certainly been earmarked by Caroline Yang, who heads up the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), as when shipping companies will make their move.
Yang said, “I am working towards the November 1 date.”
Key information requested
To facilitate the change to the new bunker fuel standard, the SSA has appealed for information on
- fuel specifications and
- available quantities
of IMO 2020-compliant fuel to avoid bottlenecks.
Market observers say that major ports should have ample stocks of compliant fuel while smaller ports may see shortages over the short term.
In addition to the question of sufficient supplies, ship operators remain concerned over the impact on vessel performance from the raft of new bunker fuels coming into the market.
Change has already started in Singapore
Singaporean shipping company Ocean Tankers has already started to make the change.
SSA’s recently appointed Yang is also chief executive of Singapore-based bunker supplier Hong Lam Marine.
The SSA has some 400 members. The global shipping fleet must use bunker fuel capped at 0.5% sulfur or have emissions abatement equipment installed from Jan 1, 2020.
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Source: ShipandBunker
