Fri 23 Mar 2012, 15:23 GMT

Sinopec to store fuel in Fujairah


Refiner could take over 200,000 cubic metres of tank storage by 2014, government official says.



China's largest oil refiner, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) is planning to store fuel at the port of Fujairah, according to a UAE government official.

Salem Kelil, technical adviser to the emirate's government, is reported to have said at a conference in Dubai yesterday that Sinopec will take up to around 50 percent of the 412,000 cubic metres (cbm) of tank storage that Singapore-based Concorde Energy plans to build in Fujairah. The construction project is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2014.

Kelil said that Fujairah's capacity for storing crude oil and refined petroleum products is due to rise by 6.5 million barrels, or 95.6 percent, from 6.8 million cbm at the end of this year to 13.3 million cbm in 2015.

Royal Vopak and Vitol Group could add up to one million cbm of crude storage capacity each at sites in Fujairah where they are partners, Kelil said.

LNG terminal

Mubadala Development Co. and International Petroleum Investment Co. (IPIC), both funds run by the government of Abu Dhabi, are planning to build a terminal for importing liquefied natural gas at Fujairah, in order to avoid the need for vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

The joint venture project — Emirates LNG - is to develop a floating offshore LNG terminal which would receive its first imports in 2014.

In a joint statement, both Abu Dhabi companies said the project was aimed at securing additional gas supplies to meet energy demand from the UAE’s growing economy.

"As the Emirates LNG project develops, it is envisaged that a specific project company will be formed by Mubadala and IPIC. The Emirates LNG project will develop a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification facility in Fujairah," the statement said.

The proposed LNG terminal would be built in two phases. The first phase will include a floating storage and regasification terminal and will be completed in the second quarter of 2014. An onshore import terminal will be built a year later.


O Bunkering and Marafi Services merger ceremony. O Bunkering and Marafi Services announce merger  

Omani firms join forces to accelerate growth and improve operational efficiency.

Order ceremony for LNG dual-fuel container vessels. OOCL orders twelve 13,600-teu LNG dual-fuel container vessels from Chinese shipbuilder  

Hong Kong-based carrier’s first LNG-powered vessels mark entry into alternative fuel segment.

Lucia Cosulich vessel. Cosulich launches second methanol-ready bunker vessel at Chinese shipyard  

Lucia Cosulich is the second of four sister vessels being built for alternative fuel bunkering.

LNG bunkering vessel render. Wärtsilä Gas Solutions secures order for LNG systems on four bunkering vessels  

GSX Energy orders systems for vessels being built at Chinese shipyard Nantong CIMC Sinopacific.

Guo Si ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation. Chimbusco Pan Nation delivers 2,500 mt of B100 biodiesel in China’s largest single bunkering  

Hong Kong operation claims 89% greenhouse gas emissions reduction compared with conventional marine fuel.

Caroline Yang, Diana Mok and Francois-Xavier Accard, IBIA. IBIA appoints three new members to Asia regional board  

Caroline Yang, Diana Mok and Francois-Xavier Accard join the board following unanimous approval.

Reimei vessel. MOL achieves 98% methane slip reduction in LNG-fuelled vessel trials  

Japanese shipping company exceeds target in demonstration trials aboard coal carrier operating between Japan and Australia.

Seaside LNG logo. Seaside LNG expands C-suite with four industry veterans  

Houston-based firm appoints new leadership team as LNG bunkering market projected to reach $15bn by 2030.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters. ICS calls for swift adoption of global regulatory framework  

Secretary general notes MEPC discussions were constructive, but that many member states were still not in a position to adopt the framework without further changes.

WSC quote on maritime discussions. WSC welcomes 'constructive engagement' on global emissions reduction measure  

The liner industry has invested $150bn in dual-fuel ships, but emissions reductions depend on a global framework, notes WSC CEO.