Tue 19 Apr 2011, 06:34 GMT

Aegean to launch bunker service in Panama


Aegean Marine Petroleum expects to commence supply operations in Panama by the end of Q2 2011.



Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. has announced it has been awarded a 20-year concession by the Panamanian Maritime Authority (PMA) to operate onshore storage facilities in the ports of Cristobal and Balboa in Panama.

The award is subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions by the company and completion of definitive documentation with the appropriate Panamanian authorities.

In addition, the company says it has been pursuing the necessary approvals and, subject to receipt of such approvals, expects to commence physical supply operations in both Cristobal and Balboa by the end of the second quarter of 2011.

The port of Cristobal and the port of Balboa are strategically positioned at each end of the Panama Canal, a critical conduit for international maritime trade that connects the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. Both ports total approximately 14,000 transits per year and generate approximately 3 million metric tons of annual marine fuel sales volumes on a combined basis.

The concession with Aegean is part of the PMA's efforts to expand and modernize the ports' infrastructure and services consistent with the current expansion of the Panama Canal. By 2014, the Panama Canal is expected to significantly increase its capacity, enabling larger ships to transit and providing greater efficiencies in global commerce.

The two onshore storage facilities in Panama currently total approximately 3 million barrels in capacity, with room for expansion. Aegean says it intends to provide retail bunkering services to all major shipping sectors, particularly containerships, as well as leading cruise lines, in port and at sea after receiving the necessary licenses by the local authorities.

Commenting on the news, E. Nikolas Tavlarios, President, commented, "We are excited to have been awarded a long-term concession in Panama, a landmark event for our company that is testament to Aegean's global brand recognition and balance sheet strength. By establishing a presence on both ends of the world's most famous canal, Aegean has significantly expanded its network for the global supply of marine fuel and strengthened its future growth prospects. We expect to realize numerous benefits from Panama's increasing role in global maritime trade in light of the projected expansion of the Panama Canal.

"The growing Panama market combined with the sizeable onshore storage capacity in the ports of Cristobal and Balboa position Aegean well to continue to meet the strong demand for its integrated services and profitably increase sales volumes. Consistent with our goal to further strengthen Aegean's geographical sales mix and drive future results, we remain on track to enter at least one more start-up market with attractive growth potential in 2011."


Ardmore Shipping logo. Ardmore Shipping posts 14% fleet emissions reduction in 2025 sustainability report  

Ardmore Shipping’s annual sustainability report highlights emissions cuts, safety gains and governance rankings across its tanker fleet.

Peter Keller, SEA-LNG. SEA-LNG mid-year review points to continued growth across methane pathway as coalition marks tenth anniversary  

LNG orders, bunkering volumes and biomethane production all rise as SEA-LNG gains IMO consultative status.

Heinz vessel. Econowind receives DNV type approval for VentoFoil 3-Series wind propulsion wing  

DNV certification set to streamline integration of VentoFoils on classed vessels worldwide.

Wärtsilä ammonia engine Wärtsilä to supply ammonia engines and propulsion systems for two Navigator Amon gas carriers  

Mid-size LPG/liquid ammonia carriers will be equipped with Wärtsilä’s ammonia-fuelled auxiliary engines.

Phil Sharp and Toon Muhlheim. Genevos and Koedood Marine Group sign LOI to explore hydrogen fuel cell deployment  

Two companies to collaborate on the use of hydrogen fuel cell systems for inland and coastal maritime transport.

Samskip SeaShuttle vessel render. Samskip brings SeaShuttle project into European HyShip initiative to develop liquid hydrogen infrastructure  

Two hydrogen-powered container vessels will operate between Rotterdam and Oslo from 2027.

Antwerpen vessel. Korea Register and HD Hyundai team up to advance ammonia-fuel shipping in South Korea  

Two organisations are cooperating on eco-friendliness verification for ammonia dual-fuel vessels.

Fabio Cococcetta, WinGD. Green ammonia could become the first commercially viable zero-emission marine fuel, WinGD study suggests  

Joint report by WinGD and Envision Energy sets out the economic case for green ammonia.

Rasul Shirinov, Oilmar. Oilmar appoints junior marine fuels trader at Dubai trading desk  

UAE-headquartered bunker firm hires Rasul Shirinov, with a background in the agricultural sector.

Antonia Maersk vessel. Maersk bunkers large dual-fuel vessel with 100% ethanol in Barcelona  

Ocean carrier scales up ethanol bunkering in bid to broaden its low-emission fuel strategy.