Ship Operations On East Coast To Halt

Table of Contents

MARINE FUELS

Marine fuels also called bunker fuels, are generally divided into two different classes:-
Heavy fuel oil (HFO) and Distillates

The various marine fuels are produced from crude oil by means of fractional distillation in refineries.

Sulphur oxides (SO_x) are known to be harmful to human health, that causes respiratory symptoms and lung disease.
In the atmosphere, SO_xcan lead to acid rain, which can harm crops, forests and aquatic species, and contributes to the acidification of the oceans.

Bunker suppliers say that
East coast require about 30,000 tons of low sulphur fuel oil a month to meet the requirement of coastal ships plying on local routes.
The situation on the West coast is relatively better due to the availability of the fuel in Kandla and Cochin for most coastal ships.
There is virtually no supply of low sulphur fuel oil on the east coast.
Thus all the coastal ships including the feeder container vessels plying between Indian ports on the east coast will come to a standstill from this week as soon as they exhaust whatever little stock they had

Oil refiners have been blamed for starting production of low sulphur fuel oil late.

The looming crisis was discussed at a meeting called by the Government with- Ship owners,
PSU oil refiners and The Director General of shipping On January 9.
Government advised ship operators to use diesel oil till the situation improved.
But, ship owners say that this was not a workable and sustainable option.
Already normal fuel oil, Costs ₹30,000 a ton,
Low sulphur fuel oil priced at ₹55,000 a ton.
Whereas Diesel Oil will cost ₹87,000 a ton.