Follow the money
Trade flows, geopolitics – and the ‘bigger picture’ for shipping
Bunkerspot Survey: Trade & Shipping Outlook
We all know that IMO 2020 will be the Big Issue for bunkering over the coming year; but what is the industry’s take on the wider macroeconomic and political trends whose impact could perhaps be both deeper and longer-lasting than the sulphur cap?
Hedging Strategies
Lesley Bankes-Hughes takes a look at Enerjen’s IMO 2020 green fuel note, which allows shipowners to hedge against an anticipated steep spike in diesel prices
Credit Management
There is little doubt that compliance with IMO 2020 is going to add to an already onerous cost burden for marine fuel buyers and suppliers. Paul Millar of Bomin offers some pragmatic and sensible advice on the subject of credit lines.
Environmental Funding
Sustainability targets and environmental regulations are driving in the maritime sector, but ‘first mover’ projects usually come at a cost. Roman Poersch of Wilhelm Borchert looks at how governmental and public funding can support such initiatives.
Company Profile: Bunker One
Following the launch of Bunker One in early 2018, Lesley Bankes-Hughes asks Global Director Peter Zachariassen to review its first year of operation as a physical supplier and to explain how the company is positioning itself for the future.
Company Insight: Aegean Marine
In 2018, Aegean Marine was brought to the edge of a financial abyss. In this interview with Lesley Bankes-Hughes, Tyler Baron and Sal Drago revisit last year’s tumultuous events and look forward to a stronger future as part of the Mercuria group.
Company Profile: Greenergy
With long experience of supplying diesel to the road sector in the UK, Greenergy believes the time is now right to build a position in the marine fuel supply chain.
Hybrid/Electric Propulsion
DNV GL offers some expert insights on the operational and environmental benefits – as well as limitations – of battery power for the shipping sector.
LNG
Lesley Bankes-Hughes talks to Eagle LNG President, Sean Lalani, about the demand for LNG-fuelled tonnage and the growth potential for small-scale LNG infrastructure.
LNG ‘frontrunner’ GTT reviews the development of its membrane technology and discusses the benefits of LNG transfer and onboard storage at low pressure.
GHG Emissions
Mike Newman of Parhelion Underwriting Inc. looks at the current emissions reduction options in play and explains how insurance can be used to mitigate the risks associated with environmental cap and trade strategies.
Insurance
Against a background of a changing and increasingly complex marine fuels landscape, Rhys Berry speaks to marine insurers about some of the key issues which could emerge up to and beyond the IMO 2020 deadline.
IMO 2020: Tank Cleaning
As many shipowners prepare for a switch from high viscosity, high sulphur bunkers to ‘new’ very low sulphur fuels in 2020, Albert Leyson of Drew Marine draws attention to the importance of thorough bunker tank preparation.
Fuel Quality
The impact of the fuel contamination cases in Houston and other global ports last year continues to be felt within the shipping industry. However, as Michael Green of Intertek ShipCare explains, sample results across 2018 also indicate a notable rise in the incidence of off-spec fuels.
Legal Issues – Fuel Quality
Last year’s fuel contamination problems focussed attention on the options available to owners and charterers for legal redress. Johannes Grove Nielsen and Camilla Søgaard Hudson of Bech-Brunn consider the challenges – and potential solutions.
Legal Issues – OW Bunker
Carel van Lynden of Ten Holter Noordam reviews two recent OW Bunker related cases in which physical suppliers attempted to recover payment from owners.
