Tue 10 Apr 2012, 04:18 GMT

Aegean seals strategic alliance with Chinese supplier


MOU signed with marine fuel supplier China Changjiang Bunker (Sinopec) Co. Ltd.



Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic alliance with China Changjiang Bunker (Sinopec) Co. Ltd. (CCBC), a Chinese state-owned enterprise jointly owned by Sinopec Sales Co., Ltd. and Sinotrans & CSC.

CCBC is one of China's five state-certificated bonded bunker suppliers and among the largest bunker supply companies in China. According to Aegean, the strategic partnership, which is expected to become effective during the second quarter of 2012 upon completion of final documentation, will enable the company to meet the marine fuel needs of its customers in mainland China.

Under the terms of the agreement, CCBC will utilize its position as one of China's largest bunkering companies to provide comprehensive marine fuel services to Aegean's customers in strategic ports, including all Changjiang River ports and certain coastal ports such as Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Yangzhou, Taizhou, Changzhou, Jiangyin, Nantong, Changshu, Zhangjiagang, Taicang, Shanghai (excluding Yangshan), Ningbo, Tianjin, Qingdao (scheduled to open by the end of 2012), Dalian, and others.

Aegean will be responsible for the supply and delivery of marine fuels to CCBC's customers in Aegean's network currently covering 19 countries throughout North America, South America, Central America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Dimitris Melisanidis, Head of Corporate Development at Aegean, commented, "Our strategic alliance with CCBC provides important strategic benefits for our company. First, we are extending our global reach to mainland China, enabling Aegean to establish an initial footprint in some of the world's largest ports. Second, Aegean is expanding its global scale in a prudent, cost-effective manner by partnering with one of China's largest physical suppliers of bonded bunker fuels. And third, this alliance will further strengthen Aegean's ability to meet the needs of its customers that operate on a worldwide basis. We look forward to working closely with CCBC and building a mutually beneficial relationship over the long term."

Jinghan Yao, a Member of the Board and General Manager of CCBC, stated, "We are pleased to form a strategic alliance with Aegean Marine Petroleum Network. The company's bunkering network throughout the world provides a good choice for us to offer integrated marine fuel services to customers outside the Chinese market. By combining our efforts with Aegean to deliver innovative customer solutions, we are confident our partnership will provide significant long-term value for both companies. The specific operation of the program will be defined in the cooperation agreements to be signed by the two parties in the future."


Illustration of balance scale with cargo ship and penalty block. FuelEU penalties spark contract disputes as first-year compliance costs emerge  

Shipowners and charterers negotiate biofuel handling, payment timing, and multiplier penalties under new regulations.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Singapore tops first global container port ranking by DNV and Menon Economics  

The port leads across all five assessment pillars in inaugural industry report.

Jack Spyros Pringle, Lloyd’s Register. Marine fuel procurement becomes strategic imperative as regulatory pressures mount: LR  

Operators must adopt comprehensive fuel strategies amid supply constraints and compliance costs, says Lloyd's Register.

Xinfu124 ultra-large LNG carrier. Private Chinese shipbuilder plans to deliver eight dual-fuel boxships  

Yangzi Xinfu is fully booked until May 2029 and expected to post annual sales revenue exceeding $1.4 billion.

Østensjø Rederi newbuild tug render. Østensjø Rederi orders methanol-ready tug from Spanish shipyard  

Norwegian operator contracts Astilleros Gondán for vessel with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system.

Bound4blue worker in safety gear. Bound4blue establishes China production base for wind propulsion systems  

Spanish wind propulsion firm targets Asian shipbuilding market with outsourced manufacturing network.

Alfa Laval and Hanwha Ocean Ecotech sign MoU. Alfa Laval and Hanwha Ocean Ecotech partner on ammonia fuel systems  

Collaboration aims to develop ammonia fuel technology for dual-fuel vessels in the Asian market.

Meg Dowling, Lloyd's Register. Nuclear-powered boxships could deliver $68m annual savings: Lloyd's Register  

Small modular reactors could eliminate fuel costs and carbon penalties while boosting cargo capacity, says report.

Minerva Bunkering and Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas (APLP) signing ceremony. Minerva Bunkering extends Las Palmas terminal concession by 15 years  

Bunker supplier adds barge capacity and explores new terminal for energy transition fuels.

Liam Blackmore, Lloyd's Register. Ammonia Energy Association releases gas detection whitepaper with Lloyd's Register input  

Lloyd's Register contributed expertise to new guidance on ammonia detection systems for the maritime sector.





 Recommended