Supply of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel to RRS James Cook

NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

10 Jun 2026 at 12:38

Award

10 Jun 2026 at 12:24

Summary of the contracting process

The National Oceanography Centre, based in Southampton, UK, has completed a procurement process for the supply of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel to the RRS James Cook. This tender falls under the goods industry category, specifically fuels, and is crucial for the vessel's operations. The procurement was managed through a direct award method due to the commodity nature of the HVO fuel, which adheres to the EN 15940 standard, ensuring compliance with both EU and MCA regulations. The contract, valued at £870,000, requires the delivery of 350 metric tons of HVO fuel by 25 June 2026, with the process now in the award stage after the selection of Crown Oil Ltd as the supplier.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in the supply and transport of standardised fuels, specifically those compliant with international environmental standards. Companies like Crown Oil Ltd, which are capable of providing certified sustainable fuel, may find a suitable market in such government-led contracts. The tender highlights the competitive elements in commodity trading, where suppliers must ensure best pricing and adherence to strict delivery timelines. The successful supplier will not only benefit from a substantial contract but also enhance their reputation in the governmental fuel procurement sector, potentially opening doors to future opportunities within the public sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Supply of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel to RRS James Cook

Notice Description

Supply of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel to RRS James Cook (IMO No. 9338242), berthed at Southampton, UK. Quantity required: 350 metric tons (approximately 437,000 litres). Delivery: By road tanker wagon (RTW), to be completed by 25 June 2026. Fuel must comply with EN 15940 standard and must not contain palm oil or palm oil sludge. Sulphur content must comply with the latest EU and MCA regulations, with a maximum sulphur content of less than 5% by volume. Fuel must have a flash point in excess of 60 degrees Celsius. The supplier must provide, at the time of bunkering, a copy of the fuel specification, fuel samples, and a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to the Chief Engineer. A Bunker Delivery Note (BDN) must be provided stating quantity in metric tons and the specific flashpoint value if below 70degC, or confirmation that the flashpoint has been measured at or above 70degC. The following sustainability documentation is required: proof of sustainability of the biofuel component (certified by ISCC/RSB), a biofuel delivery statement, and the Emission Factor (CF) value for the Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (Fuel grade) in t-CO2/t-Fuel.

Procurement Information

HVO fuel is a standardised commodity product defined by EN 15940, a published European technical standard for paraffinic diesel fuels. The specification for this requirement is set entirely by that market standard and by regulatory compliance obligations (EU and MCA sulphur content regulations), rather than by any buyer preference or bespoke requirement. Any supplier able to deliver EN 15940-compliant HVO with the required sustainability certifications (ISCC/RSB) is capable of fulfilling the contract, and the product itself is not meaningfully differentiable between compliant suppliers. The requirement was competed through a competitive quote exercise conducted among multiple suppliers, with award made on the basis of best price received. The fuel is required for the operational bunkering of RRS James Cook at Southampton ahead of a scheduled departure, making this a time-critical requirement against a fixed delivery date of 25 June 2026. For these reasons, the procurement qualifies for direct award under the commodities exemption: the goods are traded on a commodity market, the specification is determined by an established market standard, and the authority has nonetheless conducted a competitive process to secure best value.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b1d1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054746-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

09 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy


CPV Codes

09100000 - Fuels

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£870,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Jun 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Jun 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
23 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2026 30 days
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SOUTHAMPTON
Postcode
SO14 3ZH
Post Town
Southampton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ32 Southampton
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Southampton
Electoral Ward
Bargate
Westminster Constituency
Southampton Itchen

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CROWN OIL

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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