The Port of Rotterdam has reported a report variety of very massive crude carriers in port in 2015 helped by development in full oil provide in northwest Europe and Russian stockpiles flowing into the area.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority stated Monday that in 2015, no fewer than 51 VLCCs referred to as on the port to discharge and/or load gas. That is 22 extra VLCCs, starting from 200,000 to 320,000 dwt, than in 2014 and 12 greater than within the report yr of 2012. In 2015, a complete of round 28.3 billion liters of gas oil was shipped from Rotterdam, the Port Authority stated.

“The increase in the transport of fuel oil is due to a slight growth in its supply in the Northwest Europe region on the one hand,” says Ronald Backers, Business Intelligence Advisor for the Port of Rotterdam Authority. “The refineries here are operating at full capacity due to this year’s high margins. In addition, Russia saw a large build-up of fuel oil stocks in 2014. At the beginning of 2015, this stock ‘flowed’ in the direction of Rotterdam and other ports. On the other hand, the demand for fuel oil is slightly lower. This is partly due to the introduction, in January 2015, of the requirement to use bunker fuel in the North and Baltic Seas with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5%. This was achieved by using Marine Gas Oil. All in all, this has led to a surplus of fuel oil, which had to be shifted to other markets. The market calls this a ‘supply push’.”

With final yr’s 51 VLCCs, 283 of the world’s largest tankers visited Rotterdam within the final ten years. Two thirds of those discharged crude oil earlier than leaving once more with gas oil, the Port Authority says.

“75% of the loading of the VLCCs takes place at the terminals in Rotterdam, 25% at the Caland Canal and Maasvlakte2 dolphins, Backers adds. “There is often a combination of both locations, with most of the loading taking place at a terminal and the loading being completed at the dolphins.”

The Port Authority says that common cargo quantity of the mammoth tankers has elevated over time by about 30,000 tonnes to 280,000 tonnes. The report on this area continues to be held by the TI Europe, which sailed with 353,000 tonnes of gas oil in August 2013.

Incidentally, there was additionally a report variety of Suezmax tankers (120,000-160,000 tonnes deadweight) in Rotterdam, the Port Authority additionally reported. With a complete of 45, this was 4 greater than in 2014.