The Oceania, one of the world’s biggest oil carriers, will serve as a floating storage and distribution centre for marine fuel in waters off Kuala Linggi International Port.

The port will be Euronav’s hub for low-sulphur fuel and marine services in the region, according to an agreement signed yesterday with port operator T.A.G. Marine Sdn Bhd.

The ultra-large crude carrier with capacity of about 3 million barrels arrived in late-September laden with low-sulphur fuel after beginning her 19,955km journey from the Mediterranean Sea in August.

Her presence in Asia will provide Euronav’s fleet with a ready supply of shipping fuel ahead of the new IMO 2020 standards that take effect Jan 1, which could prompt a scramble for low-sulphur barrels and push up prices.

While refuelling activities are typically carried out from onshore terminals and tanks in bunker ports across Singapore, Malaysia and China, the Oceania will serve as a floating storage hub.

The tanker has anchored off Kuala Linggi port with 3 million barrels of 0.2% and 0.5% low-sulphur fuel oil, T.A.G. Marine said in a statement.

Euronav also has another ULCC tanker, Europe, that’s been at the anchorage area since 2013.

The port operator’s agreement with Euronav is a shot in the arm for Kuala Linggi port, known as Sungai Linggi, as most vessels traversing the Malacca Strait typically choose to refuel in Singapore or Port Klang.