Singapore: In the final of a series of bunker-related interviews in the run up to tomorrow’s start of SIBCON, the world’s largest bunkering event, we catch up today with Søren Christian Meyer, the man tasked with physical bunker activities in the Nordic, Mediterranean, Middle East and Asia Pacific regions for OW Bunker.
“Quality has been a hot topic within bunkering for many years, and there is genuine concern within the shipping industry about the polarisation of standards in the sector,” says Meyer.
To ensure quality, Meyer says shipowners need to look beyond just focusing on the initial price of the commodity and to adopt a more strategic approach to buying fuel oil. They need to work with their fuel distributors to analyse every element of the procurement process, as well as all the direct and indirect costs that are involved, he suggests. By taking this total cost of ownership approach, each specific element of buying fuel can be scrutinised to ensure maximum operational and cost efficiencies. “Not only does this ensure reliable delivery in line with fleet and vessel operations,” Meyer says, “It also ensures the provision of quality products, distributed at the right quantity, and at a competitive price.”
With the implementation of new ECA regulations and the requirement for more shipowners to burn distillates to ensure compliance, a vessel’s operating costs will rise considerably, particularly for short-sea shipping companies, Meyer warns.
“As the fuel supply chain becomes increasingly more complex, it is vital that there is a close, partnership-based relationship between the shipowner and their fuel distributor to ensure that the best fuel procurement solution is in place that maximises operational efficiencies and keeps fuel costs as low as possible,” he says.
Meyer is one of more than 100 people contacted for a bunkering magazine our sister title SeaShip News has just released. The full magazine can be accessed for free here. [14/10/14]
