The Dawn of the Alternative Fuel Arena
In a unique shift of events, the Middle East has started to witness a surge in inquiries relating to alternative bunker fuel in recent months. This unexpected trend was disclosed by Sean Burgin, a well-seasoned veteran in the fuel industry and the current Head of Sourcing at Glander International Bunkering, one of the world’s leading marine fuels firms. Burgin shed light on this development in an insightful social media post.
To date, the corporation has handled an impressive number of inquiries in regards to alternative fuel. The majority of these requests have successfully transitioned into projects, illuminating the region’s growing enthusiasm for eco-friendly marine fuels.
The Evolution of Bunker Ports
Fujairah holds the prestigious distinction of being the third-largest bunkering location in the world, falling just behind Singapore and Rotterdam. However, while the latter two ports have successfully set up flourishing markets for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and biofuel blends, Fujairah has been less active in these eco-friendly endeavors.
Burgin noted that transitioning to these new fuels was a slower process in the Middle East due to hesitation towards investing in these uncharted waters. However, he remains optimistic about the future, commenting, “Regardless of the initial reluctance, we’re still seeing new fuels penetrating the market. Multiple new fuel inquiries have already been worked on by our team this year alone.”
The Power of Competition
Burgin’s insight doesn’t just end at fuel trends; he also shared his vision of how competition between ports could be a catalyst for change. With rivals like Yanbu, Damman, and Djibouti ramping up their efforts to gain prominence, the pressure mounts on the Port of Fujairah to evolve in order to maintain its coveted status.
Burgin emphasized, “Developments in fuels, vessel, and port technologies, coupled with efficiencies in port turnarounds, are set to become key factors in this evolution.”
The Future of Bunkering
In the race for regional dominance, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are leading the charge, spurred by significant economic growth, a building boom, and a population rising at a rapid pace. The massive investments being made in these regions have resulted in an increased number of vessel calls, a development that Burgin believes will lead to a higher demand for bunker fuel.
“The promising changes that are bound to occur in the Middle East’s bunkering landscape are well worth looking forward to,” concluded Burgin, ending on a hopeful note about the exciting developments that await in this region’s rich and evolving marine fuel market.
