Slight increase in bunker handling in Rotterdam

More bunkering has taken place in the Port of Rotterdam in 2011. The bunker volume increased from 11.9 to 12.2 million tonnes.

The increase was entirely attributable to bunkered fuel oil. This increased from 11.3 to 11.6 million tonnes. The volume of marine gas oil remained the same, around 500,000 tonnes.

Half of the almost 12,000 bunkers of fuel oil sold are attributed to container ships, but they comprise some three-quarters of the total quantity of bunkered fuel oil. The growth in the number of bunkers remained the same, but the volume increased.

This is because container shipping sails more efficiently today (slow steaming); larger and more fully-loaded ships which sail more slowly; instead of 25 knots, 18 knots.

Ten per cent less service speed saves 20 per cent fuel and 20 per cent saves 35 per cent. For a usage of 250 to 300 tonnes per 24 hours at US$ 670 (January 9, 2012) this makes a big difference. < Korea Shipping Gazette >