February 13, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port, with the backing of China, has partnered with Sinopec to introduce High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO) to their ship fuel offerings, a move expected to significantly benefit the maritime sector.
In an official statement, the port confirmed that the newly established facility has the capacity to store up to 6,000 cubic metres of HSFO in two dedicated tanks.
The fuel can be transferred to vessels at an efficient rate of 400 metric tonnes per hour, ensuring swift service for ships in need of refuelling.
Equipped with state-of-the-art monitoring and remote-control systems, the facility is designed to provide both precision and safety during operations, addressing any concerns about fuel handling.
The introduction of HSFO is set to be a game-changer for shipowners, particularly those operating vessels fitted with scrubbers.
This move will allow vessels to continue using HSFO as a cost-effective fuel alternative while ensuring compliance with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) 2020 sulphur emission regulations, which restrict the sulphur content in marine fuels to 0.5%.
Prior to the new development, the lack of shore-based HSFO storage at Sri Lankan ports had meant that the fuel was available only in limited quantities, hindering the ability of shipping companies to secure reliable supplies and impacting overall operational efficiency.
Sinopec Lanka Private Limited, a key player in the local fuel industry, welcomed the development. Alice Lee, the company’s Deputy General Manager, highlighted the strategic importance of the Hambantota facility, stating that it would allow for a steady and high-quality supply of HSFO to vessels calling at Sri Lankan ports.
This development, she explained, would help support the wider shipping industry’s demand for dependable fuel supplies, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of maritime operations.
