Finland's Neste plans to make its own 0.5%-sulphur marine fuel available in northwest Europe from the fourth quarter as it gears up its IMO 2020-compliant offering to shipowners
Neste head of marine fuels and service Sveta Ukkonen told TradeWinds that the new fuel will be available in more than one location.
She said the company will reveal the details of the supply points and the technical specifications of the new fuel as soon as possible.
Ukkonen said the new fuel Neste Marine 0.5 has been trialled with international shipowners but she was not able to disclose these partners.
She acknowledged that quality is a key area of concern for owners who are planning their bunkering strategy for the incoming IMO 2020 low-sulphur regulations.
The marine fuels head said she wants to assure vessel owners and operators that the new compliant fuel, which is being produced at Neste's refinery in Porvoo, Finland, will be of "stable quality".
Neste executive vice president of oil products Marko Pekkola said: “Neste’s has always been in the forefront of developing cleaner and more sustainable solutions. This is also the key driver within our marine fuels business."
