Rotterdam Handles 51 Giants with Fuel Oil in 2015

The Dutch Port of Rotterdam saw 51 very large crude carrier (VLCCs) discharge and/or load fuel oil during 2015, 22 more of these 200,000-320,000 dwt giants than in 2014.

With these, a total of 283 VLCCs visited Rotterdam during a period of ten years.

Two thirds of the 51 VLCCs handled discharged crude oil before leaving again with fuel oil.

“The increase in the transport of fuel oil is due to a slight growth in its supply in the Northwest Europe region on the one hand,” says Ronald Backers, Business Intelligence Advisor for the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

“In addition, Russia saw a large build-up of fuel oil stocks in 2014. At the beginning of 2015, this stock “flowed” in the direction of Rotterdam and other ports.

“On the other hand, the demand for fuel oil is slightly lower. This is partly due to the introduction, in January 2015, of the requirement to use bunker fuel in the North and Baltic Seas with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5%. This was achieved by using Marine Gas Oil.

“All in all, this has led to a surplus of fuel oil, which had to be shifted to other markets. The market calls this a “supply push”.”

The average cargo volume of the mammoth tankers has increased over time by about 30,000 tonnes to 280,000 tonnes.

The record in this field is still held by the Belgium-flagged TI Europe, which sailed with 353,000 tonnes of fuel oil in August 2013.

“75% of the loading of the VLCCs takes place at the terminals in Rotterdam, 25% at the Caland Canal and Maasvlakte2 dolphins. There is often a combination of both locations, with most of the loading taking place at a terminal and the loading being completed at the dolphins,” Backers said.

The port also reported a record number of 45 Suezmax tankers (120,000-160,000 dwt) in 2015, four more than in 2014.