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CEPSA Panama, S.A. (CMF) has announced that it is ready to offer fuels with 1.00 percent sulphur content to customers in Panama.

In a statement, the company said: "In order to comply with ECA’s requirements and to match its customers’ needs, CEPSA is ready to offer 1.00% sulphur content fuels at Balboa Port, Panama.

"Thanks to CEPSA’s quality standards, CEPSA Panama, S.A. will guarantee the best quality of these fuels and all products, always adapting to market demand and international standard regulations."

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has officially designated waters off the North American Coast as an area in which stringent international emissions standards will apply for all ships. The implementation of the North American Emissions Control Area (ECA) on August 1, 2012, means that ships travelling in the ECA within 200 miles of the U.S. and Canada coasts will be required to burn higher-priced 1% sulphur fuel, below the current global limit of 3.5%.

"In order to reach CEPSA’s main objective, client satisfaction, we constantly work on finding the best formulas, combining quality and service. Being ready to supply FO 1.00% at Balboa port is one more achievement of CEPSA’s formula," CEPSA Panama said.

CEPSA, began its bunkering activities in 1930, suppyling marine fuel to vessels from the Tenerife refinery. Today, CEPSA supplies fuel oil to vessels in the majority of Spain’s ports, including the Canary Islands, Strait of Gibraltar, Barcelona and Huelva, as well in Panama, Portugal, and Malta.

Last year, Abu Dhabi-based International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) acquired a controlling stake in CEPSA after receiving clearance from the European Commission (EC), under the EU Merger Regulation, in July 2011.

Image: CEPSA Panama's delivery barge, Panamabunker XI .