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Vopak Terminal Algeciras - the first terminal to offer independent oil storage services in Algeciras - was inaugurated on March 25.

The new storage facility is designed for a variety of oil products and has an initial storage capacity of 403,000 cubic metres, comprising 22 tanks, and a jetty for sea-going vessels (maximum 225,000 dwt).

Attending the official inauguration ceremony were: Cornelis van Rij, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Spain; Manuel Morón, President Algeciras Port Authority; José Ignacio Landaluce, Mayor of Algeciras; Vicente Fernández, Secretary General of Innovation, Industry and Energy of the Government of Andalusia; and Eelco Hoekstra, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Royal Vopak.

Algeciras is strategically located on the Straits of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea and is a key transit area at the crossroads of the world’s main shipping lanes that connect Europe, Middle East, West Africa, America and Asia. Together with the ports of Ceuta and Gibraltar, the port of Algeciras forms part of the second largest bunkering market in Europe after the ARA (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp) region and is an important logistics hub for oil trading activities.

Commenting on the launch of the new facility, Eelco Hoekstra, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Vopak said: "We are very pleased with the opening of this new terminal within Vopak’s worldwide network of strategically located tank storage terminals. Vopak Terminal Algeciras will offer our international customers the opportunity to safely store their products ashore. The design of the terminal will give them the opportunity to optimally capitalize on any developments in the Mediterranean bunker and oil trading market."

Vopak Terminal Algeciras is a partnership between Vopak (80%) and Spanish firm Vilma Oil (20%).