Increasing bunkering off the Eastern Cape coastline remains a priority for the country as a third company has been granted an offshore licence. This is very good news, the Cape’s Port Liaison Forum (PLF) says in support of its argument that bunkering offers viable opportunities for the country.
It also comes as Colt Marine prepares to come on board off the Algoa Bay coast after being issued an offshore bunkering licence earlier this year. Aegean Marine Petroleum Network and South African Marine Fuels also hold offshore bunkering licences. It is estimated that at least 40 vessels are serviced off Algoa Bay every month.
“There are huge opportunities around bunkering and it is good to see the focus directed toward this with efforts being made to increase bunkering off our coast,” said PLF chairman Mike Walwyn. Bunkering has been under pressure in South Africa due to increasing costs resulting in vessels opting to bunker elsewhere. From a global perspective, bunkering has also seen much uncertainty due to the International Maritime Organisation’s decision to implement a 0,5% sulphur cap on marine fuel from 2020.
All three of the offshore operators off Algoa Bay have indicated they will have low sulphur fuel available come January 1 – the deadline for complying with the cap. The PLF also welcomed the decision by the International Bunker Industry Association
to host its regional African conference in Cape Town later this month. This would highlight the bunker industry and the role it could play in the economy, the PLF said.
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There are huge opportunities around bunkering. – Mike Walwyn
