Asia/Pacific News
Singapore's New Concurrent Bunkering Service Saving Tankers Time and Money: BW Group
The recent launch of concurrent bunkering services at Vopak's Sebarok terminal is helping tanker owner / operators to save time and money, Sean Warr, Bunker procurement, BW Group, has told Ship & Bunker.
"Tankers being permitted to bunker at working cargo terminals, concurrent to, or just prior/after cargo operations is not common, as compared to bulk carriers and container liners. As such, extra time is required for bunkering due to repositioning vessels at the anchorage on top of time taken to bunker." Warr explained.
"Permitting tankers to bunker concurrent to cargo operations at Vopak Sebarok is the first such service by Vopak Terminals Singapore. With the allocation of vessel crew on cargo operations and bunkering operations, it will save owners / charterers both time and money."
The new concurrent bunkering offering is the result of a collaboration between Vopak, BW Pacific, Sinanju Marine Services, and Unicore Fuel.
"Making available such a service for tankers follows the various terminals in Europe and North America that have permitted concurrent bunkering," said Warr.
"Whether more terminals will jump on this bandwagon in allowing more tankers to bunker at terminals, only time will tell."
