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Colombian bunker supplier Petrocosta CI Ltda has confirmed that it plans to restart bunker supply operations in the Atlantic coast ports of Barranquilla and Santa Marta - three years after deciding to halt its physical activities in both locations.

In an email exchange with Bunker Index, Petrocosta's Commercial Director, Antonio Reinoso, confirmed that the company will be supplying 380 centistoke (cSt), 500 cSt and 700 cSt intermediate fuel oil (IFO) in Barranquilla and Santa Marta, in addition to marine gas oil (MGO).

Explaining how Petrocosta will be sourcing products for its relaunched supply operation, Reinoso said: "Most of our raw materials are sourced from Ecopetrol but also from private suppliers. We will blend product in our facility and load trucks with finished product."

Deliveries are to be carried out by truck as none of the company's barges will be located at any of the two new supply ports, Reinoso explained.

News of Petrocosta's new supply venture follows the recently announced supply partnership signed with A/S Dan-Bunkering in the port of Cartagena, where Dan-Bunkering is to handle sales and provide risk management while Petrocosta will handle the sourcing, blending, supply, and storage of products.

As part of the agreement with Dan-Bunkering, Petrocosta is to also handle sales for its existing portfolio of clients, Reinoso explained.

Commenting on the company's decision to pull out of Barranquilla and Santa Marta three years ago, Reinoso remarked: "[Our] Management decided to concentrate in Cartagena where we had a higher volume of bunkers sales. We will be returning as we see a need for another supplier in those ports. The new partnership [with Dan-Bunkering in Cartagena] will allow us to have a better position in our cash flow, therefore with Dan-Bunkering we can look at other opportunities."

Referring to the launch date, Reinoso said: "We do not have an exact or estimated date yet, as this agreement [with Dan-Bunkering] was just finalized, but we will let you know once we have more details."