Fujairah CP opens FUJCON 2019

FUJAIRAH, (Pakistan Point News - 26th Mar, 2019) H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, highlighted the importance of preserving the maritime environment and maritime resources to achieving sustainable development, in line with international environmental conventions, most of which were ratified by the UAE.

He also noted the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, to preserve the maritime environment while considering the growing importance of Fujairah as an international centre of crude oil processing and maritime logistical services.

Sheikh Mohammed made this statement while attending the 11th International Fujairah Bunkering and Fuel Oil Forum, FUJCON 2019, which was organised by the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, FOIZ, under the patronage of Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed, and the theme, "New Horizons: The Future Fuel Landscape & IMO 2020 – Solutions & Alternatives," with the participation of over 600 international specialists representing 35 countries.

Sheikh Mohammed said that the forum has attained special importance, as it gathers leading experts and specialists in fuel and derivatives, as well as suppliers, fuel providers for ships and oil experts.

He also noted that the forum is an ideal opportunity to discuss the latest international updates in the maritime fuel sector, as well as ways of preserving the environment, through adopting the articles of the MARPOL Agreement for 2020 related to reducing the international use of sulphur.

During his speech at the forum’s opening ceremony, Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi, Chairman of the Fujcon Steering Committee, stated that the event has attained significant importance, especially after the decision of the International Maritime Organisation, IMO, to reduce the level of sulphur in maritime fuel from 3.5 percent to 0.05 percent, which will come into effect in January 2020.

Al Kindi pointed out that Fujairah is continuing to strategically expand its energy and liquified gas sector, which will provide new sources of fuel and achieve the UAE’s goal of diversifying its energy sources.

Eng. Mohammed Obaid bin Majid, Chairman of Fujcon, said that the forum is a key event in the middle East, as it attracts around 50 bunkering companies and many experts and analysts in the oil and liquified gas sector.

He added that Fujairah is continuing to provide leading facilities for oil companies and update its modern infrastructure.

FUJCON has grown to enjoy international recognition and attendance from over 35 countries covering the full supply chain of the bunkering industry. FUJCON has raised the profile of Fujairah as an internationally recognised service anchorage, being amongst the world’s top three bunkering locations and as a global hub for both oil/crude storage and product supply.

The 2019 Forum will be examining the transforming global fuel oil industry, faced with a plethora of dramatic changes encompassing new legislation, new technology, new business models and new fuels, and promoting dialogue amongst the industry’s players for assessing how best to prepare for these transformations and the challenges in responding or complying with these changes.

The three-day forum will continue to provide outstanding opportunities for renewing key business contacts and establishing new alliances.

From 1 January 2020, the IMO Marpol Annex VI regulation on limiting sulphur content of bunker fuel to a maximum of 0.5% will enter into force. At present, the global sulphur content cap on bunker fuel is at 3.5%, a level considered easy to comply with for vessel operators. From 1 January 2020, the limit for sulphur in fuel oil used on board ships operating outside designated emission control areas will be reduced to 0.50% m/m (mass by mass). This will significantly reduce the amount of sulphur oxides emanating from ships and should have major health and environmental benefits for the world, particularly for populations living close to ports and coasts.