China's Sinopec Corp is reportedly planning to assemble a 100-barge fleet to help it supply low-sulphur fuel oil (LSFO).
A Chinese shipping executive told Reuters that the units will be constructed over the next three years to supply bunkers.
"To match Sinopec's goal of supplying 10m tonnes of IMO-compliant fuel next year and 15m tonnes in 2023, it must have a fleet of its own," said the source.
Of the total, 50 newbuildings would be between 8,000 dwt and 10,000 dwt.
Sinopec would charter another 50 units of between 3,000 dwt and 4,000 dwt.
The newbuildings will cost CNY 4bn ($570m) and will be ordered in China, it was claimed.
Shihua Nanjing Tanker, the joint venture between Sinopec and Nanjing Tanker, would operate the fleet.
Sinopec declined to comment.
A total of 10 of its refineries have been earmarked for LSFO output.
