World Fuel Services plans to upgrade its Falmouth, UK, terminal facilities and expand its bunkering operations there, the company said Monday.

The moves, made ahead of more-stringent international marine fuel requirements in 2020, will include the introduction of a new 2,200 cu m cargo vessel, able to segregate up to five grades of fuel, the company said in a statement. Financial details were not disclosed.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) ruled in October 2016 that a sulphur cap of 0.5% in marine fuel will come into force in January 2020, a fraction of the current level of 3.5%.

It is not yet clear which of the options open to shipowners and charters they will take. These include high sulphur fuel, which they will only be able to burn if:

1. a scrubber is on board;
2. marine gasoil;
3. different sorts of very-low sulphur fuel oil;
4. ultra-low sulphur fuel oil and
5. other options such as LNG.

In short, more options than the current default choice of two will be available and this will require more complex storage options, sources said.

Source:  http://seanews.co.uk, 26 June 2018