Fri 27 Jun 2008, 09:10 GMT

Chemoil adds third barge in Fujairah


Supplier takes delivery of its third barge to support growing operations in the Fujairah bunker market.



Leading bunker supplier Chemoil has taken delivery of its third barge, the Heredia Sea, to support growing operations in the port of Fujairah.

The latest addition to Chemoil's fleet forms part of the company's overall strategy of being able to control each stage of the marine fuel supply chain from sourcing through to delivery across the world's key maritime locations.

The company has experienced steady growth in the world's third largest marine fuels port since it launched its offering in early March 2008. With its volumes rising to near 100,000 metric tons in May 2008, Chemoil says it now has ambitions to double this figure going forward by offering its customers a new level of reliable and flexible fuel supply through its physical operations and continued focus on the changing needs of the marine fuels market.

With two dedicated barges currently supporting bunkering operations in Fujairah's offshore anchorage area, the Heredia Sea will provide added reinforcement to Chemoil's infrastructure. The Heredia Sea and the Lorenzo Sea are newly built 7,000 DWT vessels. Both are double hulled and the third barge operating in Fujairah, the George Sea, is double bottomed. Like the George Sea, the new vessel also has the capability to supply both IFO and MGO.

Speaking about the company's operations in the Fujairah market, Adrian Tolson, Chemoil's Vice President of Sales and Marketing said "The operation of three Chemoil-owned barges in the port of Fujairah signifies our commitment to underpinning our service with the infrastructure that ensures efficient delivery of marine fuel products. As a new entrant into the Fujairah market we remain focused on developing our offering in order to seize market share and provide our customers with first-class service, both here and in synergistic locations such as the Gulf of Mexico."

Given the size of the Fujairah bunker market - estimates currently stand at between 13 and 14 million tonnes - Chemoil says there is significant opportunity for the company to realize its growth ambitions. Both the port and the business have development plans in place. The port of Fujairah is aiming to create four more jetties that will be able to accommodate four 150,000 DWT vessels or three 150,000 DWT and two 15,000 DWT vessels.

Through its joint venture with Gulf Petroleum Supplies, the company has a construction program underway to expand its GPSChemoil terminal in Fujairah, further underscoring its emphasis on physical supply within the region. The terminal's third phase of expansion will potentially be completed by the end of 2008 to provide an operational capacity of 94,000 cubic meters.

In March 2008, Chemoil announced plans to further expand the facility to provide additional storage of between 500,000 to 550,000 cubic meters by the third quarter of 2010, using land leased from the port of Fujairah. Once fully operational, this will be the company's largest owned terminal facility.


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