Data tools target 2020 fuel challenges

摘要

IMO's impending sulphur rule will challenge fuel buyers and technical superintendents alike. Fuel prices will increase as shipping migrates from low-cost heavy fuel oil to higher-priced distillate fuels. But the change will not be linear and growing price volatility is forecast. Meanwhile, wholesale fuel changes will bring technical challenges as new blends enter the market and crew adapt to handling different products. But digital solutions are emerging which promise to minimise uncertainty for owners and operators. MOL Nordic Tankers is extending the trial of a fuel procurement optimisation tool fleetwide after a pilot trial on five tankers last year. BunkerPlanner, offered by consultant 20|20 Marine Energy and marine fuel analyst Bunker Metric, enables shipowners to optimise their fuel buying on a vessel-by-vessel basis. The partners claim that fuel bills can be reduced by 2% to 4% by informing decisions on the optimal product grade, time and location to lift bunkers. The tool considers a range of factors that go into bunkering decisions including fuel price forecasts, trade patterns and routes, vessel speed, fuel consumption, product specifications, time spent in emission control areas, sailing margins and tank sizes. Costs related to deviations, port calls and barges are also included in calculations. The app uses simulation and optimisation algorithms to generate a bunkering plan for each vessel, specifying the amount of each fuel type to be purchased at specific ports.