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ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook

East Coast distillate inventories slump to record lows; fuel oil flows from US storage surge; limited prompt availability in Latin American ports.

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The following article regarding bunker fuel availability in the Americas region has been provided by online marine fuel procurement platform ENGINE for post on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

26 May 2022

  • East Coast distillate inventories slump to record lows
  • Fuel oil flows from US storage surge
  • Limited prompt availability in Latin American ports

North America

The US East Coast has seen relentless draws from distillate inventories in recent weeks, taking them down to their lowest ever levels, Energy Information Administration (EIA) figures show. Supply of marine gasoil to region’s bunker ports has tightened as a result and New York’s LSMGO price remains elevated against those in other several key Americas ports.

While overall LSMGO volumes are tight in New York, certain suppliers can accommodate deliveries with 3-4 days of lead time. Other suppliers have tight delivery schedules in in late May and into the first week of June.

Prompt LSMGO availability has also come under pressure on Houston, but varies between suppliers. One supplier has a busy barging schedule and is unable to commit to prompt dates. Two others can supply with their earliest delivery dates 5-6 days out. Another has good availability from early June onwards.

US fuel oil stocks fell sharply last week amid a three-fold increase in volumes supplied out of storage, according to the EIA. These volumes mostly go to bulk terminals and blending in bunker ports and other places, to power generation and to further refining.

Prompt availability is tight in Los Angeles and Long Beach, where a supplier’s earliest delivery date is 11 days ahead.

The earliest delivery date for VLSFO and LSMGO with a supplier in Savannah is nine days out.

Latin America

Prompt supply remains tight in Panama. A supplier is unable to commit to VLSFO delivery dates until early June as it waits for resupply.  

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight with a supplier in Jamaica’s Kingston for the first week in June.

A supplier in Bahamas’ Freeport can supply the grades in early June, and the port prices VLSFO at a discount of nearly $100/mt to Kingston.

VLSFO and LSMGO supply has been tight in Trinidad’s Point Lisas and Port of Spain as well as off Trinidad. A supplier’s earliest delivery date is 8-9 days out.

Prompt VLSFO supply is tight in Zona Comun. Its price has gone from near parity with Paranagua and Rio Grande to slight premiums now.

 

Photo credit: ENGINE
Published: 27 May, 2022

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Mass Flowmeter

Singapore to implement new bunker mass flow metering standards from 1 April 2025

MPA will mandate the use of SS 648: 2024 for the custody transfer of bunker deliveries to ocean-going ships in the Port of Singapore from 1 April 2025; use of SS 648: 2019 will cease on the same date.

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RESIZED EH dual mfm setup

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (1 November) issued Port Marine Circular No. 12 of 2024 informing the marine industry that the use of SS 648: 2024 for the custody transfer of bunker deliveries to ocean-going ships in the Port of Singapore will be mandatory from 1 April 2025:

This circular serves to inform the maritime industry that the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will mandate the use of SS 648: 2024 for the custody transfer of bunker deliveries to ocean-going ships in the Port of Singapore from 1 April 2025. Consequently, the use of SS 648: 2019 will cease from 1 April 2025. 

Published by the Singapore Standards Council in October 2024, the SS 648: 2024 serves as the latest version of the SS 648 and is the result of a joint review of the previous version (SS648: 2019) by the MPA, Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), as well as representatives from bunker suppliers/craft operators, bunker buyers, testing and surveying companies, oil majors, equipment vendors, relevant government agencies and industry experts to meet the changing needs of the bunkering industry. 

The SS 648: 2024 is divided into 2 parts for ease of operational use. Part 1 covers pre-approval processes such as meter selection, acceptance tests, etc.; while Part 2 covers post-approval processes such as health, safety and environment requirements, metrological requirements, system integrity requirements and metering procedures. Other key changes include:  

  • Updating of the acceptance test to include single tanker meter-in meter-out as an additional option for approval of Mass Flow Metering (MFM) system;
  • Considerations after a software update or upgrade to provide better clarity;
  • Biofuels in the coverage of the standard;
  • Use of data logger and edge device with enhanced requirements for data security, data integrity and data transmission requirements;
  • Replacing minimum measured quantity (MMQ) with new table on minimum bunker quantity (MBQ) for better clarity;
  • Updates of the sampling requirements with new information from SS 600:2022 Code of practice for bunkering by bunker tankers using tank gauging;
  • New content on digital documentation to be cross referenced to new Specification for Digital Bunkering Supply Chain Documentation; and
  • Reorganisation of the content of bunker claims procedures and dispute resolution

Training Requirements for Cargo Officers and Bunker Surveyors 

The MPA has worked with SSA and IBIA to develop a refresher course on the new requirements of the SS 648: 2024, which is expected to commence from January 2025. All in-service bunker cargo officers and bunker surveyors are required to complete this refresher course (conducted by SSA and IBIA) by 1 April 2025. Bunker cargo officers and bunker surveyors that have not attained the necessary certification will not be allowed to conduct bunkering operations in the Port of Singapore.

For further information on the courses, please contact SSA and IBIA as follows: 

Singapore Shipping Association
Website: www.ssa.org.sg
Tel: 6305 2260

International Bunker Industry Association

Website: www.ibia.net
Tel: 6427 0916

Queries relating to this circular can be directed to [email protected]

Manifold Times previously reported Enterprise Singapore (ESG), a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Government of Singapore administering the Singapore Standardisation programme launching two new bunkering standards while revising a third benchmark at the 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON 2024).

Related: SIBCON 2024: Singapore launches two new bunkering standards, revises third benchmark

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 1 November, 2024

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Methanol

South Korea achieves milestone with first SIMOPS methanol bunkering in Busan

Hyodong Shipping’s bunkering vessel “Hyodong Chemi” supplied 3,000 mt of methanol to containership “Antonia Maersk” at Busan New Port Terminal 2 (PNC) during cargo unloading.

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South Korea achieves milestone with first SIMOPS methanol bunkering in Busan

South Korea successfully conducted its first ever Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPs) of ship-to-ship methanol bunkering at Busan New Port on 4 October, according to Korean Register (KR) on Thursday (30 October). 

KR said this groundbreaking achievement marks a crucial advancement in the nation's commitment to developing a sustainable ship fuel supply chain.

In an 11-hour bunkering operation, Hyodong Shipping’s bunkering vessel Hyodong Chemi supplied 3,000 metric tonnes (mt) of methanol to containership Antonia Maersk at Busan New Port Terminal 2(PNC) during cargo unloading. 

This follows the successful LNG bunkering SIMOPs at Busan New Port in August. 

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) spearheaded this initiative as part of its plan to build an Eco-friendly Ship Fuel Supply Chain, announced in November 2023. The ministry has been diligently working on securing bunkering vessels, developing port infrastructure, and standardising bunkering procedures.

Busan Port Authority (BPA) supported the methanol bunkering demonstration project, offering exemptions on port facility usage fees and coordinating with relevant agencies to review safety protocols through an inter-agency consultative body.

Korean Register (KR) has played a pivotal role in providing technical support for the development of a methanol bunkering safety system. KR's contributions include developing standard operating procedures, defining safety management zones, and creating guidance for self-safety management plans.

This accomplishment is expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of South Korean ports in the growing market for eco-friendly shipping. The successful implementation of SIMOPs, which allows for simultaneous cargo operations and supply of green fuel, is particularly attractive to shipping companies aiming to reduce costs and improve efficiency.  

KANG Joonsuk, CEO & President of BPA, said: “This successful demonstration marks a monumental achievement, showing that Busan Port is fully capable of supplying methanol. We plan to enhance Busan Port’s global competitiveness by developing infrastructure and advancing technology to expand eco-friendly fuel bunkering, positioning it as a leading green port on the world stage.”  

LEE Hyungchul, Chairman & CEO of KR, said: “As the maritime industry continues to seek greener alternatives, South Korea is trying to position itself at the forefront of sustainable shipping practices. KR will continue to provide full support for technical cooperation to ensure safe and successful green fuel bunkering operations.”

Related: South Korea achieves first-ever SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation of bulk carrier 

Photo credit: Korean Register
Published: 1 November, 2024

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Ammonia

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries wins DNV AiP for ammonia DF large container vessel

Milestone follows the successful completion of a joint development project aimed at addressing the challenges associated with using ammonia as a bunker fuel, says DNV.

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HD Hyundai Heavy Industries wins DNV AiP for ammonia DF large container vessel

Classification society DNV on Wednesday (30 November) said it has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) for its 15K TEU ammonia dual-fuelled container vessel design. 

DNV said the milestone follows the successful completion of a joint development project aimed at addressing the challenges associated with using ammonia as a marine fuel.

“The project focused on developing designs to enhance safety, including an optimised ammonia tank design, advanced fire safety systems, enhanced ammonia release mitigation system and boil-off gas (BOG) handling systems,” it said in a statement. 

“These innovations could play an important role in building confidence in the safe and efficient use of ammonia as a marine fuel.”

On container ships, where the upper deck is a safe working zone, DNV said an ammonia leak could pose a serious risk. This means, establishing safety design criteria to manage these risks is crucial for the wider commercialization of ammonia-fueled ships.

To this end, fuel pipe leakage scenarios were defined and quantitatively analysed through gas dispersion analyses. Consequently, it was confirmed that, with conventional systems, foreseeable small leakages occurring at connections within the ammonia piping system can form toxic areas with dangerous ammonia concentrations throughout the entire weather deck, highlighting the need for effective mitigation measures. 

The result showed that hazardous areas were significantly reduced by the enhanced ammonia release mitigation system, enabling not only safer enclosed spaces but also safer working areas across the entire weather deck of the vessel.

Seung-ho Jeon, SEVP, CTO of HD HHI, said: “The AiP reflects HD HHI’s dedication to developing sustainable, innovative solutions like ammonia-fuelled vessels, which will play a key role in reducing emissions and shaping the future of shipping.”

Vidar Dolonen, DNV Regional Manager Korea and Japan, said: "This AiP highlights the importance of safety in moving the maritime industry along the path to decarbonization.”

“There are many aspects to building out zero carbon fuels in shipping, and it’s essential that we have them all in place for ammonia to truly establish itself in the marine fuel market.”

“But with new technological solutions, alongside rigorous safety procedures, ammonia reach its full potential as one of the most promising green fuels. DNV is proud to support these advancements from HD HHI as we continue on this journey to an even more sustainable maritime industry.”

 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 1 November, 2024

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