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Oil and shipping group, Monjasa, has consolidated its physical activities in the world's second-busiest waterway, the English Channel, and in North Europe, with the launch of a new bunker supply operation at Tongue Anchorage, UK.

In a statement, Monjasa explained that, following positive talks with the Thames Fishermens' Association, and in collaboration with Portland Bunkers UK Ltd (PBUK), it had reached an exclusive agreement to sell intermediate fuel oil (IFO) and marine gas oil (MGO) at Tongue Anchorage, with all products sold meeting ISO 8217:2010 specifications.

The agreement, Monjasa said, "satisfies all requirements by the Port of London for the local oil spill response plans".

The deal, which comes just two weeks after Monjasa announced a new credit facility of USD 80 million, "fits well into the Group's extended focus on the UK", Monjasa said. It also follows Cockett Marine Oil's recent decision to suspend its UK physical operations, including the English Channel, in June.

Over the past year, Monjasa has established exclusive oil terminal operations and bunkering facilities in Portland Port, Tongue Anchorage, and opened office premises in London.

The company's supply operation in Portland is also a collaboration with Portland Bunkers, which last year took over the bunkering and terminal storage set up formerly run by Aegean Marine Petroleum. Meanwhile, Monjasa's oil trading operation in London was launched in June 2015.

Commenting on the company's latest agreement, Ricky Kenbjerg, Managing Director for Monjasa Europe, said: "It's part of the Monjasa Group strategy to consolidate and strengthen our physical capabilities across North Western Europe. With this extended set-up in the English Channel, we are underlining our capability of offering supply security throughout the region, matching our customers' needs. Furthermore, we are exploiting further synergies with our existing physical set-ups in Portland Port, UK, the Port of Skagen, Denmark, and in Riga, Latvia. The aim is to benefit our customers by offering flexibility on a string of supply locations."

Low-cost bunkers-only location

Tongue Anchorage is conveniently located close to the main London freight routes. This strategic location enables Monjasa to serve both south and northbound vessels with very limited deviation time as a result.

Bunkering at Tongue Anchorage will be available on a 24/7 basis. Additionally, thanks to the safe and easy access to the anchorage, customers are not obliged to take pilotage to get refuelled, Monjasa explained today.