---

Bunker sales at the port of Rotterdam rose by 300,000 tonnes in 2011, according to data released by Port of Rotterdam Authority.

Bunker volumes increased from 11.9 to 12.2 million tonnes last year. The increase was attributed entirely to a rise in sales of intermediate fuel oil, from 11.3 to 11.6 million tonnes. The volume of marine gas oil (MGO) sold remained stable, at approximately 500,000 tonnes.

Half of the almost 12,000 bunker deliveries carried out last year were attributed to container ships, but they comprised some 75 percent of the total quantity of bunkered fuel oil.

Port of Rotterdam Authority said that the growth in the number of bunker deliveries remained the same, but the volume increased. This was attributed to the fact that container shipping now sails more efficiently, due to slow steaming.

Highlighting the financial benefits of slow steaming, Port of Rotterdam Authority said: "Ten percent less service speed saves 20 percent fuel and 20 percent saves 35 percent. For a usage of 250 to 300 tonnes per 24 hours at US$ 670 (9 January 2012) this makes a big difference."

The port authority added that it is in the process of researching the possibility of starting to supply LNG as a marine fuel at Rotterdam.