Shortage in Compliant Bunkers to Be Expected in 2020, Says Aegean GM

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Thursday December 1, 2016

Aegean Marine Petroleum S.A. (Aegean) general manager Gregory Robolakis says supply shortages of compliant bunkers are to be expected upon the 2020 implementation of a global 0.5 percent sulfur cap, Platts reports.

Robolakis' comments came Thursday in a speech at the S&P Global Platts Mediterranean Bunker Conference in Athens.

"Many of us in the bunker industry are not entirely convinced that the global demand for 0.5 percent sulfur bunkers can be met by 2020," said Robolakis

"The sulfur change will undoubtedly bring some novelties in the bunkering world."

The availability of compliant marine fuels for tightening regulations in 2020 has been the topic of much debate in the bunker industry.

In August, a study submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by BIMCO and global oil and gas industry association IPIESA, came in sharp contrast to IMO's official study undertaken by CE Delft that found there are no major barriers to producing enough compliant bunkers for the proposed 2020 date.

Veteran industry expert Rudy Kassinger, meanwhile, labelled both reports an "exchange of ignorance,'" telling Ship & Bunker earlier this year that "neither one has any idea what the world's 100+ refiners are planning to do in future years."