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Bunker supplier Compagnie de Distribution des Hydrocarbures (CDH) has today confirmed that it is able to supply marine fuel at the port of Fos despite the ongoing strike at the key French port, which today enters its third week.

In a letter to customers CDH said that it is able to supply at Fos, confirming that it has both product and barge availability.

It is understood that CDH loaded product over the weekend, which means that the company will be able to continue delivering bunker fuel to clients, at least until the current batch runs out.

CDH's barge deliveries are carried out using the time chartered FS Camille. The 2006-built vessel has a heavy fuel oil (HFO) capacity of 3262 cubic metres (cbm) and an MGO capacity of 842 cbm. Its pumping capacity (2 pumps) is 400 cbm/hour. The company supplies 380-centistoke (cst), 180-cst and marine gas oil (MGO).

The 15-day strike has blocked sea access to the Fos-Lavera oil port, a leading European port with annual traffic of around 60 million metric tonnes.

The action against the local implementation of a national port reform and a revamp of French pensions has prevented the unloading of ships since September 27th.

CDH is owned by LyondellBasell Industries, one of the world's largest polymer, petrochemical and fuels companies. The company is a global leader in polyolefins technology, a pioneer in propylene oxide and derivatives and a significant producer of fuels and refined products, including biofuels.

The company took over ownership of the Berre-l'Etang refinery [pictured] site from Société des Pétroles Shell (Shell) after reaching an agreement to buy the complex for $700 million in August 2007.

CDH commenced the sale of marine fuel from the Berre site in April 2008.

CDH claims to sell between 200,000 and 300,0000 metric tonnes per year of 380-cst. Amongst its portfolio of customers, CDH says it is the exclusive supplier for SNCM ferries.

[Pictured: Berre-l'Etang refinery]