Americas News
Houston-Based GCC Bunkers to Produce Post-2020 Compliant 0.50% Sulfur Bunker Fuels in Texas
Newly launched low sulfur bunker specialist GCC Bunkers (GCC) is looking to produce 0.50 percent sulfur bunker fuels in Texas to meet demand for the new global sulfur cap set to come into force in 2020, the Houston-based physical supplier has told Ship & Bunker.
"We're looking at several options for manufacturing post 2020 compliant fuels," said co-principal Mark VandeVoorde.
"There are many ways to get to 0.50% sulfur. Blending high sulfur fuel oil with low sulfur distillates is perhaps the most obvious way, but that leads to an expensive product. Our intention is to produce a more economical solution."
Also part of the new GCC team is co-principal John Mafrige, and while he might be new to the marine fuels industry, he says he has an in-depth knowledge and experience in developing new technology enterprises that can turn disruptive market change into opportunity.
"There is going to be massive disruption in the bunker industry over the next few years, and there needs to be significant changes in order to meet the requirements of the 0.50% sulfur cap in 2020. For example, the current infrastructure on the production and supply side is probably not adequate for 2020," Mafrige told Ship & Bunker.
"In terms of producing post-2020 compliant products, right now the range of options is very large and we're in the process of piecing it all together with customer needs. A successful post-2020 supplier needs to have the right combination of technology, quality, and location, and ultimately we want to be the solution provider to the market."
In addition to its aspirations in the post-2020 market, GCC today also announced the launch of its new physical supply business serving the Houston and Galveston markets.
