Shell trials sulphur compliant marine fuel

The oil giant has successfully completed initial trials for the blend and tests which are now available in Rotterdam, Singapore and New Orleans to ship owners and charterers currently purchasing fuel with Shell, to trial the VLSFO to help them meet the new regulation.

“We’re giving customers an opportunity to test the new fuel to become more familiar with how the fuel performs in their vessels,” said Melissa Williams, Shell’s global sales and marketing manager for marine fuels. “We will work with end users during the trials to assist them in handling VLSFO.”

Fuel testing

The fuel is available for testing in all vessel types and engines and trials may be expanded to other key ports in 2019.

All ship owners and charterers interested in participating in a trial are asked to get in contact with their Shell regional account manager.

The industry is beginning to respond to the demand created by the new sulphur regulation coming into effect in 2020.

A.P. Moller Maersk and Royal Vopak have signed an agreement to create a 0.5% sulphur bunkering facility at the port to aid future compliance.

The joint initiative between the two parties will cater for around 20% of Maersk global demand for sulphur compliant fuel.

The facility, at Vopak Terminal Europoort, will allow A.P. Moller – Maersk to safely blend, store and handle different fuel types.