Business

Panama Maritime Authority denies alleged concession for exclusive sale of bunkers

AMP clarified it authorised the operation of the Panama Cruise Terminal to the company Colón 2000 for the reception of cruise ships and their passengers only.

Published

2 years ago

December 14, 2022

Admin

The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) on Tuesday (6 December) denied recent publications in which reference is made to an alleged concession for the exclusive sale of bunkers to vessels that use the facilities of the Panama Cruise Port.

“We clarify to the country that the Panama Maritime Authority authorised the operation of the Panama Cruise Terminal to the company Colón 2000 for the reception of cruise ships and their passengers, but not the provision of any auxiliary maritime service in particular, given the fact that that the auxiliary maritime services that are offered in the port facilities are contracted directly by the port operator, that is to say that the government has no interference in the selection of the contracting companies for these services,” AMP said.

AMP also said it should be noted that all companies that provide auxiliary maritime services in the Republic of Panama are authorised through Operation Licenses issued by the General Directorate of Ports and Auxiliary Maritime Industries, which are approved after complying with quality and safety standards established in the current legislation.

According to several Panama-based news outlets, Iria Barrancos Domingo, a maritime lawyer and former president of the Panamanian Association of Maritime Law (Apademar), said: the exclusivity granted to the company Monjasa for the bunkering of cruise ships in the cruise ports of Amador and Colón, by the company Colón 2000, with the apparent endorsement of AMP, has been classified as an unfair practice“that threatens free competition”, in accordance with the law and the Constitution.”

Domingo added the fact that the concessionaire (in this case Colón 2000) is authorised to provide the fuel supply service and lubricants in the concession contract, cannot be understood as a grant of exclusivity and, therefore, cannot prevent users from contracting services from third parties that meet the requirements established by the National Secretariat of Energy, which is the sole governing body. of the energy sector, such as hydrocarbons, oil, and its derivatives.

When contacted, a company spokesperson from Monjasa told Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times: “Monjasa has earned its place to fuel global shipping through our high quality operations and we welcome competition at a level playing field. We thereby also invite everyone who meets the established operational requirements to compete at equal terms as it will only further improve our industry and ultimately benefit the end customer.”

“As an example, this could be anything from operating modern and SIRE-vetted tankers, environmental management and demonstrated oil spill response, or how we work with our customers on improving satisfaction year-on-year as part of our ISO-9001 Quality Management System. In our eyes, this is what our industry deserves.”

Photo credit: jhernandezb05 from Pixabay
Published: 14 December, 2022

Biofuel

NYK to launch Japan’s first antioxidant for biodiesel bunker fuel in August

When added to biofuel, BioxiGuard slows progression of oxidative degradation and helps deter issues such as metal corrosion, strainer blockage, and cleaning-system fouling often triggered by oxidised fuel.

Published

17 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Admin

Japan’s first antioxidant by NYK for biodiesel bunker fuel set to release in August

Nippon Yuka Kogyo (Nippon Yuka), an NYK Group company specialising in chemical R&D as well as the manufacture and sale of chemical products, on Wednesday (21 May) announced the upcoming release of BioxiGuard, the Japan’s first antioxidant specially developed for marine biodiesel, from 10 August.

NYK said compared with conventional petroleum-based fuels, biofuel contains a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, making it more susceptible to oxidative degradation. Once oxidised, the biofuel can produce acidic substances and sludge, adversely affecting vessel fuel efficiency by reducing the fuel’s calorific value.

Developed by Nippon Yuka based on property analyses of the biofuel used in NYK-operated vessels, BioxiGuard is specifically formulated to enhance the oxidation stability of biodiesel. When added to biofuel, BioxiGuard slows the progression of oxidative degradation and helps deter issues such as metal corrosion, strainer blockage, and cleaning-system fouling often triggered by oxidised fuel.

According to laboratory tests conducted by Nippon Yuka researchers, the addition of BioxiGuard at a concentration of 1 part per 500 resulted in an approximate 50% reduction in the rate of biofuel degradation compared to untreated biofuel.

This significant improvement underscores the potential for vessel operators to not only extend the useful life of biofuel on board but also maintain more stable and cost-effective vessel operations.

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 22 May, 2025

Wind-assisted

Dealfeng to equip Singapore-based Hung Ze’s chemical tankers with rotor sails

Project marks Chinese firm Dealfeng’s first overseas commercial contract for its wind-assisted propulsion technology which entails equipping a new series of 14,000 DWT chemical tankers with Dealfeng Rotor Sails.

Published

17 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Admin

Singapore-based Hung Ze chemical tankers to be equipped with Dealfeng rotor sails

Dealfeng, a Chinese provider of wind-assisted propulsion systems, on Tuesday (20 May) said it has assigned a cooperation agreement with Singapore-based shipowner Hung Ze Shipping.

The partnership will equip a new series of 14,000 DWT chemical tankers with Dealfeng® Rotor Sails.

Each vessel will feature a 5m x 24m Dealfeng Rotor Sail installed on its forecastle deck. Collaborating with maritime software leader NAPA, the project will utilise route optimisation systems to maximise the efficiency of wind-assisted voyages, further enhancing fuel savings and emissions reduction while improving overall energy performance.

“The first vessel in the series is scheduled for delivery with the rotor sail system in the fourth quarter of 2025. Preliminary calculations indicate that the technology will achieve approximately 8% fuel savings on the vessel’s trading routes,” the company said in a social media post.

The project marked Dealfeng’s first overseas commercial contract for its wind-assisted propulsion technology.

Dealfeng, a clean energy technology company specialising in the R&D, manufacturing, and EPC services of shipborne energy-saving systems, has long focused on developing Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS). Its core product, the Rotor Sail, harnesses wind energy via the Magnus effect to provide auxiliary propulsion for vessels.

Tailored to different ship types, the system offers fuel and carbon emission reductions of 5%–25%, with even greater efficiency under favorable wind conditions. Dealfeng’s Rotor Sail technology has obtained certifications from multiple classification societies and has been successfully deployed across numerous vessels, accumulating years of operational experience that validate its safety, reliability, and effectiveness.

Hung Ze operates a diverse fleet ranging from 5,000 DWT vessels to MR product tankers.

Photo credit: Dealfeng
Published: 22 May, 2025

Newbuilding

Höegh Autoliners latest LNG dual-fuel PCTC en route to Shanghai for bunkering

The 9,100 CEU “Höegh Sunrise”, currently sailing the seas, is on its way to Shanghai for bunkering before sailing to Japan and then towards Europe.

Published

18 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Admin

Höegh Autoliners latest LNG dual-fuel PCTC en route to Shanghai for bunkering

Höegh Autoliners on Tuesday (20 May) said its latest liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel pure car and truck carrier has departed China Merchants Heavy Industry’s yard, ready to commence its commercial operations.

The 9,100 CEU Höegh Sunrise, currently sailing the seas, is on its way to Shanghai for bunkering before sailing to Japan and then towards Europe.

The PCTC is the fifth in a series of 12 Aurora Class vessels built by the shipyard in China. The first eight Auroras are or will be equipped with engines primed to run on LNG and low-sulphur oil.

These vessels can be converted to run on ammonia later. By 2027, Höegh Autoliners said the four last vessels of the series will be able to run net zero on ammonia directly from the yard when delivered.

Manifold Times previously reported the naming ceremony of Höegh Autoliner’s fourth Aurora Class newbuild, Höegh Sunlight, at Taicang Haitong Auto Terminal.