Inter Terminals gets on board ahead of IMO 2020 regulations
21 September 2018
IMO 2020 regulations
Inter Terminals is taking a proactive approach to meeting demand for convenient and competitive low-sulphur fuel bunkering ahead of the IMO’s new global limit for sulphur content of ships’ fuel oil.
From 1 January 2020 ships will have to use marine fuels with a sulphur content of no more than 0.5% against the current limit of 3.5%. The new regulations are part of continuing efforts to reduce air pollution from shipping and should have major health and environmental benefits, particularly for those living close to ports and coastal areas.
Strategic locations
Inter Terminals has a comprehensive range of terminal locations with flexible and adaptable storage facilities capable of handling multiple products and grades, including low sulphur fuels required to comply with IMO 2020. In addition, terminal infrastructure at certain locations is interconnected with nearby refineries, offering the potential for low-sulphur marine fuels to be blended or transferred directly into dedicated storage at Inter Terminals’ facilities.
The company’s terminal at the Swedish Port of Göteborg is particularly well placed to provide IMO 2020 compliant low-sulphur marine fuel blending and bunkering to new and existing customers, as Per Follin, Inter Terminals’ Commercial Director, explains: “Occupying a strategic location on an active transit channel for large fuel oil flows and with a range of tank capacities and technical expertise, the terminal has a significant advantage in this developing market.”
Capacity and expertise
As well as having the capacity and technical skills for handling IMO 2020 compliant marine fuel at key storage locations, Inter Terminals has one of the most advanced fuel blending facilities in Europe at its Göteborg Terminal. This expertise enables Inter Terminals to meet a wide range of special fuel requirements, including the potential to provide customised low-sulphur marine fuel solutions for customers when IMO 2020 comes into force.
Global impact
According to some industry estimates the new 0.5% global cap for sulphur content represents approximately 75% of global marine fuel demand. The sulphur limit for ships operating in the existing Emission Control Areas, established by the IMO in 2015, will remain at 0.10%.
Summing up the forthcoming regulations, Per Follin says: “IMO 2020 is coming and Inter Terminals has the locations, necessary skills, and infrastructure to provide convenient, cost-effective and compliant storage solutions to all shipping sectors.”
