State-owned bunker supplier CPC Corporation has announced a temporary halt to new nominations for Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) and Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO) deliveries at the port of Keelung, Taiwan. This decision stems from critical operational issues affecting its bunker barge fleet. One barge has been out of service since last Thursday due to a significant technical malfunction, while the company's other bunker barge is currently in dry dock for scheduled maintenance.
This situation effectively leaves CPC Corporation with no operational barges to fulfill new bunker orders at Keelung. For freight forwarders and vessel operators, this means that securing VLSFO and LSMGO at Keelung from CPC Corporation is currently impossible. Vessels planning to refuel at Keelung will need to seek alternative suppliers, adjust their routing to other ports for bunkering, or carry sufficient fuel to bypass Keelung. This disruption could lead to increased operational costs and potential schedule delays for affected vessels, as alternative bunkering options might involve higher prices or longer transit times.
