Americas News

The Québec-based company’s subsidiary, Gaz Métro Transport Solutions, marked its 100th LNG bunker delivery on 3 January.

Proven failure to comply with in-force sulphur regulations could result in vessel detention or the imposition of civil penalties; the US Coast Guard may also refer such cases to the Environmental Protection Agency for administrative enforcement or to the US Department of Justice for criminal prosecution.

The office opening is said to be in line with the Singapore-headquartered bunker supplier’s ‘strategic expansion into the United States,’ and the new Houston team includes Chris Brooks, who joins the company as a senior bunker trader.

Marine fuel volumes supplied at the Panama Canal increased from 4.55 million metric tonnes (mt) in 2018 to 5.35 million mt in 2019, with a significant increase in vessel transits recorded in November and December.

Speaking at a hearing on maritime decarbonisation yesterday (14 January), Sean Patrick Maloney, Chair of the US House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, said: ‘The maritime community has risen to meet the challenge, although I must stress, the US can and should do much, much more.’

‘Policies should focus on setting sustainability targets for shipping, allowing the industry to assemble the best technologies and solutions for enabling emission reduction, and provide support to the marine industry as it meets those targets,’ said Peter Bryn, ABB’sTechnical Solutions Manager, North America, at a hearing of the US House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced that it is introducing a range of measures – including a new ‘freshwater fee’ – in response to ‘changing rainfall patterns and historic low water levels at Gatun Lake, the main source of water for the waterway’.

Under the terms of a 10-year supply and offtake agreement, Bunker One, through its subsidiary, Bunker One USA, has the exclusive right to purchase 100% of Vertex's Marrero, Louisiana refinery's marine fuel production through December 2029 – and gives Vertex the opportunity to become minority partner in Bunker One's entire North American marine fuel bunkering business

Cielo Waste Solutions has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Renewable U Halifax to build a renewable diesel refinery near the Canadian port of Halifax – and the company has told Bunkerspot that it may look to sell its product into the local bunker market.

Klesch signed an agreement with Curacao’s state-run refining company, Refineria di Korsou (RdK), in late December to take over the operation of the island’s Isla refinery and storage facilities – and local media sources have reported this week that the hand-over could be brought forward from June/July to April.