AAL outlines its IMO 2020 strategy
Written by Nick BlenkeySingapore-based multipurpose shipping specialist AAL has released details on how it plans to comply with the IMO 2020 global sulfur cap. AAL notes that it has has served the multipurpose heavy lift sector for 25 years and says it welcomes the positive global impact the sulfur cap will have on the environment and the health of current and future generations.
“Over the past year,” says managing director Kyriacos Panayides, “we’ve been researching the options available and decided that migration to the use of low sulfur fuel with a sulfur content of 0.5% or less and fully compliant with the IMO legislation will best meet the interests of our customers, trades and industries we service globally. This fuel comprises variants such as Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (LSFO), Ultra Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (ULSFO) and Low Sulfur Marine Gasoil (LS-MGO), all currently more expensive than standard marine fuel. In this respect, not only will adoption of these fuels have profound implications for our planet, but also on the economics of our daily operations.
“In the multipurpose shipping sector, we know well that one size does not fit all. Therefore, in consideration of the wide variety of cargo and trades that we handle and manage worldwide, we will be implementing various calculation methodologies to fairly share the increased cost of low sulfur fuel usage with our customers. These measures will come into effect from September 1, 2019, as we start the arduous task of preparing our fleet for low sulfur fuel and begin bunkering same with the intent of being fully compliant with the IMO regulation by year’s end.”