ExxonMobil starts IMO fuel supply in ARA and Singapore

ExxonMobil is supplying 0.5pc sulphur marine fuel oil in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) hub and in Singapore.

The product is formulated to meet International Standardisation Organisation (ISO) 8217:2017 specifications. In ARA, it will have a maximum density of 991 kg/m³ and viscosity of 380cst.

ExxonMobil said in late August that it would make 0.5pc sulphur fuel oil available from October at the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, Genoa in Italy, Marseilles in France and Laem Chabang in Thailand, in addition to ARA and Singapore. But so far it has only been made available in ARA and Singapore.

Other suppliers including Orim Energy, Northstar, Oilchart and Trefoil have supplied 0.5pc sulphur fuel oil for months in ARA, the largest bunkering hub in Europe. Several suppliers are supplying the grade in Singapore.

Some shipowners have started the transition to buy and burn low-sulphur marine fuels in ARA and in Singapore, with just under three months before the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) global sulphur cap comes into effect. That will leave them time to physically clean out vessels' tanks.

Demand for 0.5pc sulphur fuel oil has picked up in both ports this month. Argus assessed delivered 0.5pc sulphur fuel oil at $487.75/t in Rotterdam and Antwerp, and at $518/t in Singapore today.