EARLY PLANNING IS KEY

摘要

The launch date for the North American Emission Control Area (ECA) is fast approaching. From 1 August 2012, all vessels operating within ECA waters must comply with a maximum sulphur content of just 1.0%. Maurice Lara, GAC Marine Fuels Bunker Manager, East Coast believes that this poses some serious challenges. 'The most immediate question is the availability of low sulphur product at key US ports and the price compared to high sulphur fuels,' he says. 'Our role is to ensure that customers can procure the required fuel in the ports they are calling at during their rotation in US waters. Low sulphur products are currently available on all three US coasts, particularly in major ports, such as Houston and New York, and further availability expected to come into the market as the August deadline approaches. This expansion of low sulphur availability will occur as demand, as well as enquiries about availability, reach a fever pitch in June and July 2012. However, the bigger challenge could be the ongoing availability, especially during the first 6-12 months following August.' Lara warns that suppliers, owners and operators waiting to see the demand before investing may then struggle to catch up with those who have been preparing for quite some time.