Bomin Starts Delivering 2020-Compliant ULSFO in ARA

Hamburg-based supplier of marine fuels Bomin Group has started delivering ultra-low sulfur fuel oil (ULSFO) to vessels calling in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp region (ARA).

The ULSFO product is 0.1% maximum sulfur and complies with MARPOL Annex VI regulations in current designated Emissions Control Areas (ECAs), as well as the impending global 0.5% sulfur limit, which will come into force on January 1, 2020.

Deliveries will be carried out by five certified barges which Bomin employs in the region, the company said.

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% sulfur to 0.5% prior to the 2020 deadline.

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