Port of Ceuta Carries Out First VLSFO Bunkering

The Spanish Port of Ceuta is ready to deliver IMO 2020-compliant marine fuel after completing its first very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) bunkering operation on November 7.

Oil tanker Ridgebury Colette B delivered first VLSFO for the port at the Poniente quay on November 1. Later in the day, tanker Sti Fulham delivered further 25,000 tons of VLSFO, bringing the total amount of fuel unloaded at the port to 59,500 tons.

The first bunkering of the environmentally-friendlier fuel took place six days later, when Turkish general cargo ship Kurtulus received 90 tons of the new fuel.

The Port of Ceuta said the operation was enabled by new berthing infrastructure, which allows bigger ships to bunker fuel in Ceuta.

VLSFO bunkering at the Spanish enclave on the Moroccan side of the Strait of Gibraltar will be provided by bunkering specialist Vilma Oil.

By completing the first VLSFO bunkering, the port is joining an expanding net of port authorities and companies offering the cleaner fuel with a maximum 0.5% sulphur content that will become mandatory on January 1, 2020 under new International Maritime Organization regulations.

The Port of Ceuta finished the month of October reaching a figure of 665,087 tons of fuel supplied to ships. The port also has an ability to serve ships in the bay by barge.