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South Europe's leading bunkering location, Gibraltar, is reported to have recorded a 500,000-tonne rise in bunker sales in 2009, according to industry sources.

Bunker suppliers in Gibraltar are said to have sold 4.7 million tonnes last year, representing a significant increase of 11.9 percent compared to the 4.2 million tonnes sold in 2008.

Between them, the ports located in the Bay of Gibraltar are understood to have delivered more than 7 million tonnes of marine fuel to vessels transiting the Strait of Gibraltar.

The latest supply volume data follows port data released in October 2009, which said that Gibraltar had recorded a 10 percent year-on-year rise in bunker sales during the first eight months of 2009.

Bunker suppliers were said to have delivered around 3 million tonnes between January and August last year, indicating positive volume growth despite the recent economic climate.

In 2008 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.