Business

KPI OceanConnect: Five Reflections On IMO 2020

‘The bunker price volatility this year […] is a textbook example of why it pays to consult with your marine fuels supplier to help manage this risk,’ says CEO Søren Høll.

Published

4 years ago

August 20, 2020

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Soren Hall KPI Ocean Connect Reflections

Søren Høll, CEO at International bunker trading firm KPI OceanConnect, on Tuesday (18 August) published an article sharing his reflections on regulations and other unforeseen market dynamics in 2020 have disrupted the bunker fuel market, and outlines the relevance of his company’s role in weathering these forces:

IMO 2020, or ‘MARPOL Annex VI, regulation 14’ as it was less memorably known back when we started preparing for it in 2018, was always going to bring huge changes for shipping.

For some people it was even going to be as substantial as ships’ switch from coal to oil in the early 20th century. Those predictions have fortunately proven to be unfounded so far, but there hasn’t been any shortage of challenges for our industry in the wake of IMO 2020’s arrival.

During the last few weeks as we’ve been concluding our merger with OceanConnect and I’ve had a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come this year.

- It’s easy to forget that crude prices started to slide not only because of Covid-19 in February and March, but also due to disagreements within OPEC+ about how much oil they should produce. Covid-19 has reduced demand for oil, and created a huge glut of both crude and refined products. Even if a vaccine emerges soon, we’re unlikely to see this oversupply abate entirely; not least because countries like Venezuela, Libya, and Iran with huge crude reserves are currently ‘offline.’

- At times in January it looked as though shipowners who’d invested in scrubbers for their fleets could see payback periods of less than two years in some cases. By March, however, the spread between 3.5% HSFO and 0.5% VLSFO dropped to as low as $40 a tonne from over $300, and payback periods are now commonly assumed to be at least four or five years. We’re unlikely to see sustained interest for retrofitting scrubbers as long as the spread remains low. On newbuilds, I’m slightly more optimistic about positive economics.

- By common estimates, the three biggest cruise lines, Carnival, Norwegian, and RCCL together on average consumed about half a million tons of bunkers each month in 2019. For context, that’s more than 10% greater than total fuel sales of Panama registered by the AMP. Especially for physical suppliers in cruise hotspots like the Caribbean, which supports about a third of global cruise voyages, bunker demand is unlikely to return in full before 2022 at the earliest.

- The bunker price volatility we’ve seen this year – and in many previous years – is a textbook example of why it pays to consult with your marine fuels supplier to help manage this risk. I was talking to a longstanding client last week, and for her there are three big advantages to be gained from hedging and risk management: Reduced volatility reduces cost of capital; knowing there will be no abrupt cost increases means that they can more easily plan ahead; and by smoothing out revenue and expenses they know they won’t need to borrow on unfavourable terms because they’ve got good liquidity.

The merging of KPI Bridge Oil and OceanConnect brings together a wealth of knowledge and expertise, new ideas and ways of thinking, and a renewed energy to a changing marketplace. There’s no shortage of challenges ahead for the shipping or bunkering markets, but I’m very optimistic about the company we’re building and the value we can provide.

Photo credit: KPI OceanConnect
Published: 20 August, 2020

Winding up

Singapore: Liquidator of Vanda Marine Services issues notice of dividend

First and final dividend of company is payable from 23 January at Rock Stevenson Pte Ltd, 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

4 hours ago

January 23, 2025

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A notice was published in the Government Gazette on Thursday (22 January) regarding the first and final dividend to creditors of Vanda Marine Services Pte Ltd.

The following are details of the notice of dividend of the company:

Name of Company : Vanda Marine Services Pte Ltd(In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)

Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 201209660C

Address of Registered Office : 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977

Amount per centum : 23 per centum of all admitted ordinary claims

First and Final or otherwise : First and Final

When payable : 23 January 2025 onwards

Where payable : c/o Rock Stevenson Pte Ltd, 8 Burn Road, Trivex #16-12, Singapore 369977

Manifold Times previously reported several resolutions for Vanda Marine Services, including winding up the company voluntarily, were passed during an extraordinary meeting in March last year.

Photo credit: steve pb from Pixabay
Published: 23 January, 2025

Methanol

China launches first simulation training platform for methanol bunkering operations

Through the real-life simulation, the platform helps ship operators improve their safety management and emergency response capabilities, improving the development of green shipping technologies.

Published

5 hours ago

January 23, 2025

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China launched its first training platform to simulate methanol bunkering operations at Putuo District, Zhoushan on 15 January.

The Methanol Bunkering System Simulation Training Platform V1.0 was created to fill technical gaps in domestic methanol bunkering training and exercises, in light of the growing demand and popularity for methanol in the shipping industry.

Through the real-life simulation, the platform helps ship operators improve their safety management and emergency response capabilities, improving the development of green shipping technologies.

The platform was jointly developed by Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering and Zhejiang Ocean University.

At the press conference , Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering successfully signed its first purchase agreement with Seacon Ships Management (Zhejiang), making Seacon the first customer to purchase the platform service.

Wang Guofeng, chairman of Seacon, said that the platform has great potential in improving crew operating efficiency and safety, and he looks forward to deeper cooperation with Zhejiang Ocean-U New Energy System Engineering in the future.

Professor Lu Jinshu, Vice President of Zhejiang Ocean University, said they will continuously improve the platform to contribute more in the field of green shipping solutions to the industry.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 23 January, 2025

Hydrogen

Klaipėda Port launches Lithuania’s first hydrogen-powered vessel

Tanker’s power system, which will consist of two electric motors powered by 2,000 kWh batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell system, will enable it to operate for up to 36 hours without additional power charging.

Published

5 hours ago

January 23, 2025

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Klaipėda Port launches Lithuania’s first hydrogen-powered vessel

Klaipėda State Seaport Authority on Wednesday (22 January) said the first ever green hydrogen and electricity-powered ship in Lithuania has been moved from shipyard into water.

Leaving no trace on the environment, it will clean other vessels entering the port, accepting waste from them.

According to the current rules, vessels are obliged to hand over the waste they produce when they arrive and before they leave Klaipėda Port. The Seaport Authority was entrusted with the collection of the waste, and the company decided to use modern and environmentally friendly equipment to further improve the quality of the ship waste collection service.

The tanker’s main function is to collect storm water, sewage, sludge and garbage, as well as to ensure efficient waste management. The ship will be equipped with special tanks and a modern rainwater treatment plant that will allow the treated water to be transferred to the city’s sewage treatment plants. The tanker will be ready to work around the clock and collect up to 400 cubic metres of liquid waste.

The tanker is 42 metres long and 10 metres wide. The ship’s power system will consist of two electric motors powered by 2,000 kWh batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell system. Depending on the intensity of the work, the tanker will be able to operate in the port of Klaipėda for up to 36 hours without additional power charging.

This ship building project with a total value of EUR 12 million (USD 12.5 million) has been commissioned by the Port Authority and is being built by West Baltic Shipyard together with Baltic Workboats under a joint operating agreement.

“We have not only launched a tanker, but also a new approach to port operations – cleaner, smarter and more environmentally friendly. This first ever hydrogen and electricity-powered ship is not only an innovative technological solution, but also an important step in strengthening Lithuania’s image as a modern maritime nation,” said Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.

“At the moment, the tanker is getting used to the seaport water, so to speak, and at the end of the year we expect it to start its important mission of taking care of the clean seaport environment. Such a decision will not leave a footprint on nature, but it will certainly leave a strong mark on our path to a greener future.”

In June last year, a symbolic keel-laying ceremony at the West Baltic Shipyard of the West Baltic Shipyard Group marked the start of the ship’s construction. To date, the hull has been fabricated and painted, with piping, valves, coolers, shaft lines, rudder feathers, heat and fire insulation installed.

Once the tanker is moved into the water, the engine room equipment will be installed, the interior of the wheelhouse will be redecorated, the electrical wiring and the main electrical engines will be installed, the hydrogen system will be installed and other work necessary for the operation of the ship will be carried out.

Photo credit: Klaipėda State Seaport Authority
Published: 23 January, 2025