Americas News
ECA Fuel Oil First for Houston: GCC to Offer 0.10% ULSFO from September 1
In a first for the Houston bunker market, from September 1, 2017 GCC Bunkers (GCC) will supply 0.10% sulfur emissions control area (ECA) compliant ULSFO at the port, Managing Director Mark VandeVoorde has told Ship & Bunker.
"It is a fuel oil product, not a distillate, and is sourced from our partners in Europe where this same product has been bought and burned by customers for some time now. So we know it is a tried and tested fuel that is accepted by buyers," VandeVoorde explained.
"Delivery of the product will take place via a dedicated barge to further ensure there are no issues with quality, and storage for the product is in dedicated tanks at a terminal in Galveston."
The bunkers will be sold against the RMD 80 specification alongside, and at a discount to, the company's 0.10% sulfur DMA fuel.
"For the ULSFO product we are quoting a delivered price. Buyers should expect to see a discount to comparably priced DMA of between $15 to $25 per metric tonne depending on the volume of fuel they buy," he said.
While caution should always be exercised when commingling fuels, VandeVoorde says he understands that buyers are particularly mindful of this when dealing with new products.
"We are ready to work with buyers to provide them with samples to test in the lab for analysis, or to better understand the commingling characteristics with their existing fuels. I also want to assure buyers that this product is available with consistent quality for the long term," said VandeVoorde.
GCC, who entered the market in May, also supplies HSFO bunkers.
"This ULSFO product is being sold in addition to high sulfur RMG and DMA products, and we're excited about it," VandeVoorde told Ship & Bunker.
"As a low sulfur specialist we have a special niche we're trying to fill, so this expands our products offering and I think we'll see new customers, and different customers because of it."
Enquiries for all products, including the new ULSFO, can be directed to GCC as follows:
GCC Bunkers LLC
20 E Greenway Plaza, Suite 350 Houston, Texas, 77046
Main: +1 713 880-9812
Zach Stansbury, Senior Marketing Representative
Direct: +1 713-999-5345
Mobile: +1 713 898-6180
ICE Msg: zstansbury1
Skype: zachstansbury
Email: Marketing@gccbunkers.com
