Gazpromneft Marine Bunker, operator of the Gazprom Neft bunkering business, increased sales of ultra-low sulphur fuels in H1 2019, reaching 121,400 tonnes — the bulk of these sales, comprising high-tech oil products with a sulphur content of less than 0.1 percent, consistent with the requirements of the MARPOL Convention,* and intended for use in SECA shipping zones** — occurring at ports in Russia’s North—West Region, predominantly through the Port of St Petersburg.

Gazprom Neft’s total sales of marine fuels in the first six months of 2019 were up 23 percent year-on-year, at 1.53 million tonnes. Sales throughout ports in Russia’s North—West Region were up 26 percent, to 857,500 tonnes, and in the Black Sea Region were up 14 percent, reaching 503,200 tonnes. Bunkering of river vessels on Russia’s internal waterways was also up 90 percent, at 106,300 tonnes.

Gazprom Neft is continuing the proactive expansion of its product range, increasing sales of environmentally friendly marine and hybrid fuels with a maximum 0.5 percent sulphur content, produced at its Moscow and Omsk Oil Refineries. In addition to this, the company is, in the medium term, considering LNG bunkering as an alternative to traditional marine fuel, and intends to develop a new LNG bunkering market for the domestic shipping industry. To that end, Gazprom Neft has initiated the introduction of an international standard for LNG bunkering in Russian shipping, and has also begun developing a project — one unique within the industry — to build the first LNG bunker in Russia. This LNG bunker is expected to be commissioned in 2021 and will facilitate LNG ship refueling at ports throughout Russia’s North—West Region.