Rotterdam bunker port demand was more sustainable in 2019

Rotterdam bunker port demand was more sustainable in 2019


Last year, the demand for low-sulphur, bio and LNG fuels increased hugely in Rotterdam. Total sales in its bunker port – the largest of its kind in Europe – fell from 9.5 million m3 to 9 million m3.

Low-sulphur bunker oil in particular (with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5 per cent – the so-called VLSFO, very low sulphur fuel oil) saw an increased uptake in the last quarter of 2019. 

Furthermore, in December, 62 per cent of the fuel oil sold was VLSFO, and over the entire last quarter, 48 per cent of the fuel oil sold was VLSFO, which has everything to do with new regulations.

As of January 1, 2020, the globally permitted sulphur content in marine fuel has been reduced from 3.5 per cent to 0.5 per cent. 

In the Netherlands and other countries along the North Sea, the maximum sulphur content is even lower – it has been 0.1 per cent since 2015. 13 per cent of this so-called Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil was sold in the last quarter.

In addition to the sales of VLSFO, the increase in sales of LNG (liquefied natural gas) bunkers also stood out – sales more than tripled from 9,483 tonnes to 31,944 tonnes, it said in a statement. 

For the first time, the sale of biofuel bunkers – bunker fuel to which a certain percentage of biofuel has been added – is also clearly visible in the figures. 

Throughout 2019, 2 per cent of sales of fuel oil and 0.5 per cent of distillates (MGO – gas oil – and MDO – diesel oil) concern biofuel bunkers. 

Sales of biofuel bunkers increased in the fourth quarter in particular. The admixture percentages of these bunkers vary between 5 and 50 per cent. The most common is 20-30 per cent.

For more information visit www.portofrotterdam.com

24th February 2020