Assessing the impact of sulfur cap on bunkering spot selection in the ARA region

The introduction of IMO2020, the outbreak of COVID-19, and the oil price drop in 2020 had a significant impact on operators’ operating profits. Therefore, a competitive analysis of bunkering spots that suggests the optimal location for bunkering is of interest. This paper uses a combination of primary and secondary research, both from operators’ and suppliers’ side, to identify the key performance factors (KPFs) affecting the decision-making process of a bunkering port selection process. Answers were then combined by using a fuzzy TOPSIS analytical approach to quantify the competitive position of each port in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region. Results suggest that availability of low sulfur bunkers, bunker quality, bunker price, reliability, punctuality, and safety of bunkering services, as well as usage and availability of barges are the key KPFs in order of importance. Sulfur cap has not changed the competitive environment in the region as the geographic advantage of the port of Rotterdam plays a crucial role in the comparison with the other ports, in contrast to expressed concerns in the industry.