Alkagesta evaluates ULSFO supply expansion to Spain

Marine fuels supplier Alkagesta is evaluating the expansion of its ULSFO supply operations into Spain, according to Ship & Bunker. This strategic move is a direct response to the implementation of the Mediterranean emission control area earlier this year. To facilitate this market entry, the company is considering the acquisition of a local trader licence, which would enable it to provide ultra-low sulphur fuel oil directly to vessels within the region. Furthermore, the firm has expressed intentions to introduce B24 biofuel blends to its Spanish product portfolio as part of its broader transition fuel strategy.

The company has established a significant presence in the Mediterranean market, reporting total sales of 500,000 mt of ULSFO across the Central and Eastern Mediterranean since the emission control area mandate took effect in May. Alkagesta views Spain as a critical component of the regional maritime energy transition, noting the country's dual role as a major bunkering hub and a primary gateway for European Union trade. The firm highlighted that the nation's strategic position is particularly important for supporting the requirements of container shipping vessels operating within the Mediterranean basin.

Alkagesta identified several key Spanish ports, specifically Barcelona, Valencia, Algeciras, Tarragona, and Bilbao, as central to the distribution of transition fuels. According to the company, these locations have already undertaken significant upgrades to their bunkering infrastructure to accommodate compliant fuel products. These facility improvements are designed to ensure a reliable supply chain for low-emission marine operations, supporting the industry's shift toward stricter environmental standards. The availability of ULSFO and biofuels in these ports is expected to assist shipowners in meeting the new sulphur limits imposed by the regional regulatory framework.