High Commission of the Republic of Mozambique

Nacala Port to supply low sulphur shipping fuel

London, 9 Nov (AIM) – The port of Nacala in northern Mozambique is to begin supplying very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) following a delivery to the port on 7 November from Shell.

The fuel will be sold by Mozambique Civitas Logistics and the company aims to develop the port as a key bunkering hub for shipping in southern and eastern Africa. Nacala has the advantage of being the deepest port on the east African coast and will be in direct competition with ports in South Africa.

The introduction of the fuel follows the awarding of a licence to Civitas by the Mozambican government. According to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Max Tonela, “the availability of globally demanded marine fuels in Mozambican waters is a positive milestone for the development of the maritime economy of Mozambique. Given our strategic position along the main trade routes, we see no reason as to why Mozambican ports shouldn’t become globally competitive locations for the supply of marine fuels”.

Civitas already sells other marine fuels including high sulphur fuel oil to ships that have exhaust gas cleaning systems, commonly known as scrubbers. Low sulphur fuel was introduced to meet the International Maritime Organisation’s rule introduced in January 2020 that reduced the maximum sulphur content in shipping fuel from 3.5 per cent to 0.5 per cent, except for ships using scrubbers.
(AIM)