OW Bunker to supply low sulfur bunkers in Panama
Physical supplier OW Bunker revealed today that it is to supply low sulfur 1.00% RMG 380cst fuel from Balboa Port, Panama from mid-October 2012, Ship & Bunker reports.
The emailed press release said the move will serve to meet the growing demand from customers transiting the North American Emissions Control Area (ECA) zones, which came into effect on August 1, 2012.
OW Bunker said that its supply tanker, MT Star Alpha, has been released from dry-dock following modifications to the supply vessel's tanks to provide complete segregation of LSFO products.
"The move to increase supplies of low sulphur products comes in response to the surge in demand from vessels on transit to the ECA zones. Along the US West Coast in particular supplies of low sulphur fuels, and the infrastructure to supply them, have been coming under strain since the implementation of the ECA in August this year," commented Jan Christensen, Vice President, Physical Division, OW Bunker.
Andrew Huzzard, Branch Manager, OW Bunker Panama, said the firm had made a conscious decision to modify the Star Alpha specifically to cater for low sulphur supplies.
"Rather than rushing to market when the ECA came into force, our customers wanted us to respond to their demands in the right way," he said.
Last week the Wrist Group firm announced the launch of new quality control standards which it said was part of its strategy to drive its annual global bunker claims below 1%.
"By segregating tanks purely for the supply of low sulphur products, we can ensure the highest levels of quality, which is paramount for customers in optimising the performance levels of their vessels. With increasingly stringent regulation coming into force, monitoring quality by taking additional measures such as this is critical," Christensen concluded.
