Maersk, Vopak to Launch Low Sulphur Fuel Bunkering Facility in Rotterdam Before 2020

A.P. Moller – Maersk, owner of the world’s largest shipping line, has agreed to a joint initiative with independent tank storage operator Royal Vopak to launch a low sulphur bunkering facility in Rotterdam.

The facility will help Maersk and other carriers meet the strict rules regarding the International Maritime Organization’s .5% sulphur cap beginning in 2020.

Located at Vopak Terminal Europoort, the facility will have the capacity to deliver approximately 2.3 million tonnes of 2020-compliant low sulphur bunker fuel per year, enough for approximately 20% of Maersk’s global demand. The agreement will allow Maersk, as well as any other interested third parties, to supply vessels trading with and inside Europe.

“We trust that this initiative will put to rest some of the concerns the industry has on fuel availability as well as secure our continued competitiveness in the market,” says Niels Henrik Lindegaard, Head of Maersk Oil Trading, a division of A.P. Moller – Maersk.

Maersk says the long-term commitment with Vopak will prepare it for the “paradigm-shift” from the IMO’s 2020 rules on sulphur.

“We are very proud to serve A.P. Moller – Maersk with this dedicated 0,5% sulphur bunkering point in the heart of Rotterdam. With A.P. Moller – Maersk as an anchor customer, Vopak demonstrates the focus to position itself in the 0,5% sulphur fuels bunker market. We are dedicated to serve our customers to comply with the IMO 2020 regulations in the key global bunker hubs around the world,” says Hari Dattatreya, Global Oil Director Royal Vopak.