The recent fuel surcharges from major container shipping companies could be reduced for the mutual benefit of shipowners and operators, as well as their customers, considering the technologies available for reducing fuel consumption, believes Marc Sima, President and co-founder of Germany’s FUELSAVE.
Earlier this month, Maersk announced that the installation of technologies to reduce emissions will increase the cost of shipping a single twenty-foot container to $160, while MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company announced it will introduce a Global Fuel Surcharge.
Marc Sima thinks that there is potential for these fuel surcharges to be reduced, as he said:
With a 10% reduction in fuel consumption, ship operators could reduce fuel surcharges and maintain or even increase profitability, leveraging the potential of sustainable efficiency enhancement solutions that are beneficial to both shipowner and shipper.
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He also added that even if cleaner fuels become more prominent and scrubbers are no longer required, energy saving technologies will continue to create significant fuel and efficiency gains for the shipowner.
Mr. Sima explained that shipowners who choose low sulphur fuel will be benefited, as these fuels are more costly and will continue to rise, which reduces further the amortization period, and can provide a better return on the investment.
However, any fuel savings have to be balanced by the amortization period, which should be well within any warranty periods, Marc Sima concluded.
