Bomin Group Launches 2020-Compliant Ultra-Low Sulphur Bunker Fuel at Europe’s Busiest Ports

Bunkering barges in Rotterdam. File Photo: Corepics VOF / Shutterstock

Germany-based Bomin Group, a leading supplier and trader of bunker fuel, has started delivering Ultra-Low Sulphur Fuel Oil to vessels calling in the busy Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region, home to two of Europe’s busiest ports.

Bomin Group says the ULSFO product has a maximum sulphur content of just 0.1%, making with MARPOL Annex VI regulations for fuel burned in designated Emissions Control Areas (ECAs), as well as the impending IMO 0.5% sulphur limit, which will come into force in 2020.

Deliveries will be carried out by the certified barges which Bomin employs in the region, the company says. The five state-of-the-art barges, all of which have fast pumping rates, are operated out of Antwerp, but also support customers who require bunkers in Rotterdam, Ghent, Flushing, and other ports across the ARA region.

While the ULSFO product is applicable for current ECA zones, shipowners and operators also need to prepare to transition their fuel system from 3.5% sulphur to 0.5% prior to the January 1, 2020 deadline.

“Indeed in the second half of 2019 shipowners would benefit economically from consuming 0.1% fuel to clean their high-sulphur fuel-systems rather than cleaning, or needing to dry-dock pre-2020 to ensure compliance with 0.5% sulphur in 2020,” Bomin said in a statement. “Without cleaning or conducting several voyages on 0.1% fuel, shipowners risk not being compliant in time,” the company added.

Angela Beyens, Commercial Manager, Bomin Belgium, commented: “We are pleased that we can offer our customers a high quality product which is not only compliant with the current ECA rules, but also the upcoming 2020 regulations. Bomin is committed to working in partnership with our customers to provide the highest level of service standards, maximizing operational and cost efficiencies, as well as ensuring the delivery of quality products where our customers need them.”

Jan Christensen, Head of Global Bunker Operations, Bomin Group, commented: “ARA is one of the most important regions for our customers, with real demand for a full spectrum of quality products and the provision of ULSFO will ensure that we can continue to provide the energy they need to compliantly fuel all their operations.”

The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Belgium’s Port of Antwerp are Europe’s first and second busiest ports, respectively.  

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