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South Europe's leading bunkering location Gibraltar has recorded a 10 percent year-on-year rise in bunker volume during the first eight months of 2009, according to recent port figures.

Latest sales data shows that bunker suppliers have delivered around 3 million tonnes between January and August this year, indicating positive volume growth despite the recent economic climate.

Last year approximately 4.2 million tonnes was reported to have been sold in Gibraltar, making it the leading bunker port in the Mediterranean ahead of Pireaus (3.3 -3.5 million tonnes).

According to 2008 figures, Vemaoil Company Ltd./Macoil International S.A. was the leading supplier with annual sales of over 1.5 million tonnes, followed by CEPSA Marine Fuels / Gibunco Holdings at approximately 1.35 million tonnes.

The port's third largest supplier was Aegean Bunkering (Gibraltar) Ltd. with sales of around 1 million tonnes, followed by Bominflot (Gibraltar) Ltd. with approximately 300,000 - 350,000 tonnes.