U.S. bunker barge sent 500nmi to meet low sulfur demand
The tanker Kometik was one of two vessels who received the low sulfur bunkers, Ship & Bunker reports. The barge Columbia fully loaded with low sulfur bunkers arrived in the Canadian port of Halifax, Nova Scotia Tuesday after being towed some 500 nautical miles from New York, local sources have reported.
The U.S. flagged tug Siberian Sea was said to have brought in the fuel due to the lack of low sulfur product at the port, which was ordered for the tankers Kometik and Maatea.
On August 1, 2012 an Emission Control Area (ECA) surrounding North America can into effect, effectively meaning all ships operating within 200 nautical miles of the U.S. and Canada coastline must use a marine fuel with a sulfur content not exceeding 1.00% by weight.
Canada is currently not enforcing the regulations with Transport Canada saying at the time of the ECA's introduction that "significant additional discussions" were required, although interim measures in place mean inspections may still take place and Marine Safety Inspectors may verbally advise the ship's Master of the pending air emissions standards.
A report in September said since the ECA's introduction demand for low sulfur bunkers in the U.S. has risen to as much as 50% of the total U.S. market.
