A Euronav NV-owned supertanker anchored along Asia’s busiest shipping route is set to become a refuelling hub as the company seeks to secure cheaper fuel for its fleet ahead of new industry rules, reports Bloomberg.
Euronav’s low-sulphur fuel hub
The Oceania, one of the world’s biggest oil carriers, will serve as a floating storage and distribution centre for marine fuel in waters off Kuala Linggi International Port on Malaysia’s west coast.
The port will be Euronav’s hub for low-sulphur fuel and marine services in the region, according to an agreement signed on Tuesday with TAG Marine Sdn Bhd, the port operator.
3 million barrel capacity ULCC
The ultra-large crude carrier (ULCC) with a capacity of about three million barrels arrived off Malaysia in late-September laden with low-sulphur fuel after beginning her 12,400 mile (19,955 kilometre) journey from the Mediterranean Sea in August.
Her presence in Asia will provide Euronav’s fleet with a ready supply of shipping fuel ahead of the new IMO 2020 (International Maritime Organization) standards that take effect Jan 1, which could prompt a scramble for low-sulphur barrels and push up prices.
Oceania the floating storage hub
While refuelling activities are typically carried out from onshore terminals and tanks in bunker ports across Singapore, Malaysia and China, Oceania will serve as a floating storage hub.
The tanker has anchored off the port with three million barrels of 0.2 per cent and 0.5 per cent low-sulphur fuel oil, TAG Marine said in a statement. Euronav also has another ULCC tanker, Europe, that’s been at the anchorage area since 2013.
Preferred Refueling spots
The port operator’s agreement with Euronav is a shot in the arm for Kuala Linggi port, known as Sungai Linggi, as most vessels traversing the Malacca Strait typically choose to refuel in Singapore or Port Klang in Malaysia.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Bloomberg
