Bunker Port News Worldwide
Established in2016
Located inRotterdam, Netherlands
News CoveragePORT AND SHIP
10
BPNW Publishers' Articles
Filter by
View by
Bunker Port News Worldwide
India Eyes Ending Import Tax On Us Ethane And Lpg In Trade Talks, Sources SayIndia plans to end taxes on U.S. ethane and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports under broader negotiations with Washington as it looks to reduce its trade surplus and ease its tariff burden, three sources familiar with the matter said.
The proposal to get rid of duties for the products used for cooking gas and petrochemical production comes as India mulls scrapping import tax for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) and boosting purchases of the fuel from the United States.
As President Donald Trumpâs sweeping duties rattle economies and markets, several Asian countries running trade surpluses with Washington are looking to import more U.S. energy in hopes of avoiding heavier tariffs.
India levies import taxes of 2.5% on ethane, mainly used as a feedstock for producing petrochemicals, and propane and butane, which are used for LPG used mostly as cooking fuel.
In the 2023-24 fiscal year, India imported 18.5 million metric tons of LPG worth $10.4 billion, according to Indian government data, mostly from the Middle East.
It is the No.2 buyer of U.S. ethane after China, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, importing 65,000 barrels per day last year, compared with 227,000 bpd for China. However, the U.S.-China trade war has sent tariffs surging and is likely to curtail Chinaâs imports.
Reliance Industries RELIANCE1!, which operates the worldâs largest petrochemicals complex, is Indiaâs main buyer of ethane.
New Delhi and Washington agreed in February to work on the first phase of a trade deal to be concluded late this year, with a view to growing bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 and reducing Indiaâs $45.7 billion trade surplus.
The Indian government sources said a final decision on duty cuts will be taken by commerce and finance ministry officials. All three spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks.
Indiaâs finance and commerce ministry did not respond to Reuters emails seeking comments.
Analysts say there is limited scope for India to increase U.S. ethane imports in the short term due to a lack of ships, storage tanks and crackers that process the liquid gas.
âIt will be challenging for the US to increase ethane exports to India, as India seems to have already maximised its use of ethane as a feedstock due to favourable current margins,â said Cheryl Liu, an analyst with Energy Aspects.
Indiaâs steam cracker capacity is around 9.5 million metric tons of ethylene production, which can accommodate up to 2 million tons (92,000 bpd) of ethane as feedstock, she said.
It is logistically easier to import more LPG, said Prashant Vashisth, vice president at Moodyâs affiliate ICRA. India imports about 60% of its LPG needs.
Source: Reutersport-and-ship
Apr 18, 2025
Bunker Port News Worldwide
Port Esbjerg Significantly Expands Its Capacity: Fairway Deepened To 12.8 MetresAfter years of preparation and large-scale construction work, the fairway to Port Esbjerg has now been fully deepened. The upgrade enables access for larger vessels, increased cargo volumes, and new strategic opportunities in both the energy and defence sectors.
âThe deepening of the fairway marks a major milestone. It expands our overall capacity and unlocks new potential for the future,â says Dennis Jul Pedersen, CEO of Port Esbjerg.
Millions of cubic metres moved
This is a project of significant magnitude. An enormous amount of sand has been dredged, excavated and relocated. In total, 3,702,000 cubic metres of seabed material were moved as part of the project, increasing the water depth from 9.3 to 12.8 metres. While 2.5 metres may not sound like much, the impact is transformative â both nationally and internationally.
âThis is a milestone that strengthens our position as an international hub for logistics and energy,â says Dennis Jul Pedersen. CEO of Port Esbjerg.
Commandor Michael Sichler, Defense Attaché at German Embassy in the Kingdom of DenmarkMajor Thomas Sigvardt, Captain for the Danish NavyMorten Jensen, Head of Unit European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive AgencyJesper Frost Rasmussen, Mayor of Esbjerg MunicipalityLieutenant Colonel Shawn Dillingham, Army Attaché at U.S. Embassy in the Kingdom of DenmarkColonel Bruno Costanzo, Attaché de defense at France Embassy in the Kingdom of DenmarkBrigadier Neil Bellamy, Defense Attaché in the British Embassy in the Kingdom of Denmark
Three strategic advantages
1. More cargo, larger vessels:
The increased depth allows Port Esbjerg to accommodate significantly larger and heavier vessels. The port now expects to double its cargo volume over the next decade.
2. Strengthens offshore wind leadership:
Future offshore wind installation vessels and components are becoming larger and heavier. The new fairway ensures that Port Esbjerg can maintain â and grow â its position as Europe's leading port for offshore wind shipments.
3. Enhances military readiness:
The deeper fairway enables Port Esbjerg to receive larger RoRo and military vessels. This significantly enhances the port's strategic importance to NATO and enables faster and more efficient response during periods of heightened readiness.
One of only a few in Europe
With this upgrade, Port Esbjerg joins an exclusive group of European ports capable of handling this class of ships and cargo. The port is now well-positioned to play an active role in the global logistics shifts driven by geopolitical developments and changing global trade patterns.
âWe are already seeing that several partners and companies within the maritime sector are in need of ports that can accommodate significantly larger vessels. This is no longer something lying in the future â it is here and now. And now, Port Esbjerg is ready.â says Dennis Jul Pedersen.
EU support and a sustainable footprint
The project received DKK 211 million in funding from the EU's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). It also paved the way for Port Esbjerg's designation as a strategic node in the EU's Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
The 21.6-kilometre-long fairway through GrÄdyb has now been fully deepened and a large portion of the dredged material has been reused to expand the southern areas of the port. Environmental impact assessments were carried out in close dialogue with authorities and the public. The entire project was completed on time and below budget.
A foundation for the port of the future
The fairway deepening is part of a broader infrastructure development plan at and around Port Esbjerg. The rail connection to the port area has recently been extended, and new reinforced areas have been established for heavy logistics â with a particular focus on offshore wind. âWe have removed a key barrier. We are now even better positioned to serve as a centre for green energy and military logistics. The fairway is more than an engineering project â it is the foundation for our future,â says Dennis Jul Pedersen.
Ready to take responsibility
SĂžren Gade, Chairman of the Board of Port Esbjerg, highlights the strategic significance: âWe have reached a crucial milestone that opens the port to the vessels shaping the future of energy and security. This strengthens not only Port Esbjerg, but also Denmark's role in the green transition and in international defence cooperation.â
Dennis Jul Pedersen concludes:
âThis project is complete â but development continues. We now have a port ready to meet the demands of the future, and we look forward to realising its full potential in close partnership with both the energy and defence sectors.â
Source: Port Esbjergport-and-ship
Apr 18, 2025
Bunker Port News Worldwide
ImoâS Net-Zero Strategy For Global Shipping Starts With Pricing Carbon But ItâS Not PerfectOn Friday, 11 April, the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed upon a set of mid-term measures to get the sector on track to net-zero by 2050. This follows the global shipping regulatorâs earlier implementation of short-term measures focused on fuel efficiency. The package is due to be adopted by October 2025, with details and implementation guidelines to be specified and approved in spring 2026, before being included in the MARPOL treaty and coming into force in 2027.
The most important elements of the net-zero framework are:
But the policy fails to introduce a pricing mechanism covering all shipping emissions
Although the willingness to make progress on pricing measures is encouraging, the proposed framework doesnât introduce full carbon pricing as implemented under the European Unionâs ETS for shipping. This would only make bunker fuel less attractive, it generates much more budget to support greening as well. Several market players, including leading global container liners and shippers such as Cargill and Trafigura, have previously advocated for putting a price on all emissions as this could be a forceful instrument to support decarbonisation. Maersk called for a levy starting from $150-200 and preferably even significantly higher to support the transition.
However, this also raises the costs of shipping, and adopting this was probably not achievable at the global level at this point. From an economic point of view, though, this would ultimately be necessary to narrow the gap between bunker fuels and costlier renewable fuels like green methanol and ammonia, and support investments in infrastructure and availability.
Fuel neutrality risks putting biofuels at the forefront
The net-zero framework takes a well-to-wake approach and looks at the greenhouse gas intensity of the fuels that companies use. Itâs still unclear which fuel options will be eligible for subsidies and to what amount, but the agreement doesnât exclude alternative fuels (and includes LNG as well). As such, companies are also allowed to use biofuels, which are often the cheapest and easiest lower-carbon option as they can be used in the existing fleet and donât require investments in new technology. This will boost demand while demand from the aviation sector also starts to mount. It also raises questions about controversial (first-generation) feedstocks without specific requirements. Moreover, it could distract from investments in alternatives.
Targets fall short of earlier ambitions
In terms of target setting, the IMO previously adopted a goal of reducing GHG emissions by 20%, striving for 30% by 2030, and 70%, striving for 80% by 2040, both compared to 2008. The adopted framework seems to focus on a reduction of at least 8%-21% by 2030, which looks less ambitious. At the same time, total absolute emissions in shipping have risen in recent years, underscoring the need for more decisive action.
All in all, I believe this framework is a step in the right direction, but it should also be seen as a framework to build upon further down the line.
Source: INGport-and-ship
Apr 18, 2025
Bunker Port News Worldwide
AzerbaijanâS January-March Oil Exports Via Btc Pipeline Down 5.5%Oil exports via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, which runs from Azerbaijan through Georgia to Turkey, were down 5.5% year-on-year in January-March 2025 at 6.9 million metric tons, Azerbaijanâs state statistics committee said.
The BTC pipeline is used to export oil from the Azeri, Chirag and Guneshli oilfields, which are operated by BP.
Azerbaijanâs total oil transit in January-March 2025 amounted to 9.0 million tons, of which 76.2% flowed through the BTC.
The volume of transit oil sourced from other countries such as Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan via the BTC fell to 1.153 million tons in January-March from 1.400 million tons in the same period of 2024, the data showed.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Nailia Bagirova; Editing by Eileen Soreng)port-and-ship
Apr 18, 2025
Bunker Port News Worldwide
Sallaum Lines Now Serving Port Of BrunswickSallaum Lines, a global leader in Roll-on/Roll-off shipping, is now serving the Port of Brunswick, Ga.
âWe're thrilled to make our first call to Colonel's Island in Brunswick,â said Sam Awad, Vice President of Sales and Operations for Sallaum Lines. âThis expansion aligns with our growth strategy and commitment to delivering reliable services to our clients in the U.S. and Africa. Brunswick's strategic location and robust infrastructure make it an ideal addition to our global network.â
With an inaugural visit of the vessel Silver Soul, the Switzerland-based ocean carrier added Brunswick to an extensive Atlantic network linking Europe, North and South America, and Africa. The new service to Brunswick marks an important step in Sallaum's broader strategy to expand its footprint on the U.S. East Coast.
âWe are excited to welcome Sallaum Lines to our growing roster of international shipping partners,â said Georgia Ports Authority Chief Commercial Officer Flavio Batista. âThe addition of Sallaum Lines will enhance Brunswick's position as a key hub for RoRo services on the U.S. East Coast.â
Sallaum Lines operates a fleet of eight modern Pure Car & Truck Carriers, and has moved more than 4 million Car Equivalent Units globally. The company is set to add six new vessels to its fleet by 2027.
Source: Georgia Ports Authorityport-and-ship
Apr 18, 2025
Bunker Port News Worldwide
Landmark Imo Deal Set To Shake Up ShippingThis global mechanism will combine mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) limits with carbon pricing for the maritime sector and represents a move towards achieving the goals laid out in the IMOâs 2023 GHG Strategy, which targets net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050, supported by interim reduction goals for 2030 and 2040.
Hailed by the IMO as a world-first for any industry sector, the measures are set to apply to large vessels over 5,000 gross tonnage â the segment responsible for about 85% of shippingâs CO2 emissions.
IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez was in a celebratory mood at the end of proceedings: âThe approval of draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI mandating the IMO net-zero framework represents another significant step in our collective efforts to combat climate change, to modernize shipping and demonstrates that IMO delivers on its commitments.â
Framework mechanics
The Net-Zero Framework, to be integrated into MARPOL Annex VI, Chapter 5, is built upon two key pillars: a global fuel standard and an economic measure. MARPOL Annex VI, with its wide ratification covering 97% of global tonnage, provides the existing legal foundation.
The Global Fuel Standard requires ships to progressively decrease their annual greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI). Calculated on a well-to-wake basis, the GFI measures GHG emissions per unit of energy used. Ships must meet increasingly stringent GFI reduction targets over time, driving the adoption of lower-emission fuels and technologies.
Complementing this is the Global Economic Measure, introducing a GHG emissions pricing mechanism. Vessels exceeding the permitted GFI levels will need to acquire âremedial unitsâ to cover their emissions deficit. Conversely, high-performing ships using zero or near-zero (ZNZ) GHG technologies, achieving emissions below a tighter âDirect Compliance Targetâ, can earn financial rewards and tradable âsurplus unitsâ.
Compliance incorporates flexibility. Ships can meet their obligations by acquiring surplus units from others, using previously banked units, or purchasing remedial units via contributions to a new central fund.
A cornerstone of the economic measure is the establishment of the IMO Net-Zero Fund.
This fund will pool the contributions generated by the emissions pricing. Its revenues are strategically allocated to support the sectorâs decarbonisation: rewarding low-emission vessels, funding innovation, research, and infrastructure development (especially in developing nations), supporting training and capacity building under the GHG Strategy, and, critically, mitigating adverse impacts on vulnerable states like SIDS and LDCs, underpinning a just and equitable transition.
Ambition under scrutiny
However, the frameworkâs approval was met with caution from environmental advocacy groups. Transport & Environment (T&E) acknowledged the step forward but argued the current draft âwill fall short of deliveringâ the IMOâs own 2030 and 2040 targets, and is insufficient for the Paris Agreementâs 1.5°C goal.
T&Eâs analysis suggests projected annual revenues of around $10 billion until 2035 will be inadequate to properly incentivise the crucial uptake of scalable ZNZ fuels like green e-fuels.
They estimate funding for ZNZ support could run out by 2032 without additional measures.
Furthermore, T&E raised concerns about the frameworkâs neutrality on fuel types, warning it could unintentionally favour cheaper, first-generation biofuels from feedstocks like palm oil or soy. They argue reliance on these could undermine genuine emissions savings due to deforestation impacts.
Faig Abbasov, T&Eâs shipping director, offered a balanced view: âMultilateralism isnât dead⊠the IMO deal creates a momentum for alternative marine fuels.â But he added: âUnfortunately it is the forest-destroying first generation biofuels that will get the biggest push for the next decade. Without better incentives for sustainable e-fuels from green hydrogen, it is impossible to decarbonise this heavy polluting industry.â He concluded that national policies are now needed to support truly sustainable options.
Cleaner air milestone
MEPC 83 also marked progress on regional air pollution, approving a new Emission Control Area (ECA) for the North-East Atlantic. This designation enforces stricter limits on SOx, NOx, and particulate matter emissions, yielding significant air quality, health, and ecosystem benefits.
As the worldâs largest ECA, it covers waters off the Faroe Islands, France, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and the UK, connecting existing ECAs in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. The proposal, based on research by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and Porto University, was submitted jointly by the EU27, UK, and European Commission. ICCT senior researcher Liudmila Osipova said that the approval âreflects a strong international commitment to cleaner shipping.
Itâs a crucial step toward improving air quality and protecting public health and marine ecosystems for the long term.â
The journey for the Net-Zero Framework now enters its formalisation phase. The draft MARPOL amendments will be circulated to Member States before a planned extraordinary MEPC session in October 2025 (MEPC/ES.2) for final adoption. Detailed implementation guidelines are slated for approval at MEPC84 in Spring 2026. Following the standard MARPOL timeline, the regulations are anticipated to enter into force 16 months after adoption, likely in 2027.
While the approved framework provides a structure, its ultimate success will hinge on the detailed negotiations ahead â refining targets, finalising economic measure mechanics, ensuring robust fund governance, and addressing sustainability concerns around fuel pathways. Global shipping will need to watch closely as the final details emerge, as the industry starts to prepare for a markedly different operational landscape.
Source: Baltic Exchangeport-and-ship
Apr 18, 2025
Bunker Port News Worldwide
Rbn Energy Ceo Says You CanâT Have Lower Oil Prices And Boost Production: âIt DoesnâT Make Any SenseâIn a Monday interview with CNBCâs Jim Cramer, RBN Energy executive Rusty Braziel suggested that having lower oil prices was at odds with increasing production â both of which were some of Donald Trumpâs fervent campaign promises.
âThe situation is, you cannot have âdrill, baby, drillâ and have that much more production coming out of the ground, and at the same time have lowerâŠoil prices,â Braziel said. âIt doesnât make any sense.â
According to Braziel, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has a âtough jobâ ahead. Wright, a former oil executive, understands the industry and how to boost oil production, Braziel continued. But he indicated it will be difficult for Wright to successfully do that while prices are low because companies will be reticent to drill. Regardless of how many areas the U.S. government opens for drilling, Braziel continued, âat these prices, those wells are simply too expensive for the production that you get out of them.â
Oil prices have plummeted as recession fears continue to weigh on the business world. Earlier in April, key members of OPEC+ agreed to accelerate oil production, which helped drive prices down. But prices held steady around $60 on Monday â even though OPEC cut its demand forecast for 2025 and 2026, suggesting uncertainty caused by Trumpâs heavy-handed tariffs could hinder global economic growth.
Braziel said drilling would be affected if prices declined to $50, but he maintained that at $60, âmost producers are still profitable, particularly those that are in the Permian.â RBN Energy provides consulting services to energy companies, and, according to Braziel, many clients say they are âgoing to sit on the sidelinesâ until thereâs more economic certainty.
âThe marketplace is deer in the headlights right now, and thatâs the way itâs going to be until we start seeing some sort of stability,â he said.
Source: CNBCport-and-ship
Apr 17, 2025
Bunker Port News Worldwide
Europe Gas: Prices Stable On Healthy Supply, Lower DemandDutch and British wholesale gas prices were largelt stable on Wednesday morning due to adequate supply and lower demand.
The benchmark Dutch front-month contract (TRNLTTFMc1) was up by 0.55 euro at 34.80 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) by 0853 GMT, while the June contract (TRNLTTFMc2) was down 0.55 euro at 34.60 euros/MWh.
The British within-day contract was 0.10 pence lower at 82.90 pence per therm.
âPrices seem to be in an equilibrium zone that suits everyone (in Europe and in Asia) for the time being,â said analysts at Engie EnergyScan.
A higher gas-for-power demand forecast due to lower wind speeds in north-west Europe is being offset by a lower demand for gas for heating.
Although average temperatures will fall by 3 degrees Celsius over the next few days they are still above normal levels, LSEG data showed.
Total Norwegian exports are slightly higher and liquefied natural gas send-out is flat.
Meanwhile in the United States, Venture Global LNG has begun commercial operations at its Calcasieu Pass plant in Louisiana, ending a more than a three-year commissioning process at the plant, the company said on Tuesday.
Europeâs gas inventories are around 36% full, 42% lower than 2024 levels, according to Jefferies analysts.
âGetting to 80% and 90% storage utilization by November 1 will require an injection of 50 billion cubic metres (bcm) and 61 bcm respectively. Total gas injected last year was 42 bcm,â they said.
In the European carbon market, the benchmark contract (CFI2Zc1) was 1.02 euro higher at 67.21 euros per metric ton.
Source: Reutersport-and-ship
Apr 17, 2025
Bunker Port News Worldwide
Gasoline Gains, TaiwanâS Cpc Offers May ReformateAsiaâs gasoline refining profit margin rose on Wednesday, after a flurry of trades at the deals window lifted market sentiment.
The crack rose to $8.74 per barrel over Brent crude, up from $7.05 a day earlier. A total of 300,000 barrels of benchmark-grade of gasoline was traded at the window, while 100,000 barrels each of the higher 95-octane and 97-octane grade of the fuel changed hands.
In tenders, Taiwanâs CPC offered 18,000 tons of reformate for May loading from Kaohsiung port, the company said in a document. The tender closes on April 21.
The naphtha crack, on the other hand, declined by about $11 to $70.05 per metric ton over Brent crude.
NEWS
â Chinaâs oil refinery throughput edged up 0.4% in March from a high base a year earlier, data showed on Wednesday, supported by production increases at small independent plants and higher operations at a new plant.
â Oil prices fell on Wednesday as shifting U.S. tariff policies and the U.S.-China trade war prompt traders to consider the potential impact on economic growth and energy demand.
â Australiaâs top fuel retailer Ampol reported a 49% drop in first-quarter refining margins for its Lytton refinery in Queensland on Wednesday, citing lost production due to Cyclone Alfred and weak refining margins in Singapore â a bellwether for Asia.
SINGAPORE CASH DEALS
Five gasoline trades and two naphtha deals.
Source: Reutersport-and-ship
Apr 17, 2025
Bunker Port News Worldwide
WÀrtsilÀ Upgrade Package Expected To Deliver Potential Co2 Emissions Savings Of Over 1,500 Tons Annually For Two UlusoyTechnology group WÀrtsilÀ will upgrade the WÀrtsilÀ RT-flex main engines on two bulk carrier vessels owned by Turkey-based Ulusoy Sealines. The planned engine retrofits and upgrades will extend the vessels' operational life and improve both performance and fuel efficiency, thereby significantly reducing emissions. The orders were booked by WÀrtsilÀ in Q4 2024 and Q1 2025.
Current regulations â such as Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) â are requiring the majority of the merchant fleet to become more energy efficient. Therefore, the aim of the upgrade is to align the engines' performance with the latest operational profile of the two vessels, both of which have undergone substantial changes since the initial delivery of the vessels to the market in 2011.
WĂ€rtsilĂ€ will upgrade the WĂ€rtsilĂ€ RT-flex main engines on two bulk carrier vessels owned by Turkey-based Ulusoy Sealines â ULUSOY 11 and ULUSOY 12. © Ulusoy Sealines
With the integration of WÀrtsilÀ Part Load Optimisation (WPLO), Intelligence Combustion Control (ICC), and Fuel Actuated Sackless Technology (FAST), a CII improvement of 5% is anticipated, equating to a 2-year extension of the CII rating. Additionally, annual fuel savings of nearly 250 tons are estimated, resulting in potential cost savings of more than 150,000 US Dollars per year, and a reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately 780 tons per year per vessel.
âWe continuously strive to operate our fleet in the most environmentally friendly and efficient manner possible. These engine upgrades are, therefore, very important to us and we are excited to be able to provide added value to our customers by combining existing assets with these state-of-the-art engine retrofits,â comments Capt. A.Akin OZCOREKCI/DPAâOPR MANAGER, Ulusoy Sealines.
WĂ€rtsilĂ€ has closely cooperated with Ulusoy for several years and this project is a continuation of the two companiesâ joint efforts to maintain environmental and operational efficiency and comply with all relevant regulations.
WĂ€rtsilĂ€ will upgrade the WĂ€rtsilĂ€ RT-flex main engines on two bulk carrier vessels owned by Turkey-based Ulusoy Sealines â ULUSOY 11 and ULUSOY 12. © Ulusoy Sealines
âThese engine upgrades will involve the integration of various solutions, both long-standing and newly developed, which are meticulously fine-tuned to achieve the highest operational improvements and maximum savings tailored to the vessel's specific operational profile,â says Peter Knaapen, Director, 2-Stroke & Other OEM Services â WĂ€rtsilĂ€ Marine.
The delivery of the required parts and equipment for the two vessels â ULUSOY 11 and ULUSOY 12 â is scheduled to take place during the first half of 2025.
Source: WÀrtsilÀport-and-ship
Apr 17, 2025