By Koustav Samanta and Jane Chung SINGAPORE/SEOUL, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Asia's oil refiners are starting to see a surge in demand for cleaner fuels that is pushing up processing profits for very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) and gasoil just weeks before new rules take effect for fuel products burned in ships. Most ships have to switch from high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) to cleaner … [Read more...]
Interview: Castrol’s Gianluca Marucci Talks IMO 2020
Interview by Mike Schuler - Gianluca Marucci is Global Director of Technical Services at Castrol, a leading global supplier of marine lubricants. With less than a month to go before the IMO 2020 .5% sulphur cap, Castrol's global technical services teams stand ready to provide a range of 2020-compatible lubricants and technical support at over 800 ports worldwide to help … [Read more...]
Tankers Running on Fumes as Shipping Fuel Switch Causes Delays
By Julia Payne and Roslan Khasawneh LONDON/SINGAPORE, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Disruption to shipping from the long-anticipated switch to more environmentally friendly marine fuels has finally arrived, exacerbated by logistical problems as much as any shortage of the cleaner fuel. New International Maritime Organization (IMO) rules, referred to as IMO 2020, aim to stop ships from … [Read more...]
Carriers Must Train Crews for IMO 2020 or Risk Criminality, Warns Seafarer Union
By Gavin van Marle (The Loadstar) - Seafarer representatives are increasingly worried that the forthcoming IMO 2020 low-sulphur regulations could result in a spate of criminal convictions. Seafarer union Nautilus International said a recent case involving a P&O Cruises vessel in the North Europe special emission control area (SEVA), which extends from the Channel to the … [Read more...]
Ships Stuck Waiting for Fuel in Singapore Ahead of Low Sulphur Switch
By Ann Koh and Firat Kayakiran (Bloomberg) -- Ship owners are waiting longer and paying more to refuel at the Asian hub of Singapore as the industry scrambles to prepare for the implementation of new ship-fuel rules in just a few weeks. The availability of refueling barges has dwindled as their tanks are scoured so that they will be able to carry cleaner-burning fuels … [Read more...]