Americas News
Two New Bunker Barges Commissioned in Jamaica
West Indies Petroleum (WIP) has commissioned two new barges that will operate at Jamaica's nine ports, local media reports.
Phillip Paulwell, Jamaica's Minister of Science, Technology and Mining commenting on WIP's expansion, said "with the expected increase in size and volume of ships coming through our local ports due to the widening of the Panama Canal, WIP's expansion is strategically timed to help to propel Jamaica in our own quest to establish a hub here."
"Vessels that ply the route will require fuel, which you are strategically placed to supply."
The two barges, WIP Endeavor and WIP Jam One, are said to have capacities of 45,000 barrels and 22,000 barrels, respectively, and are designed to carry a range of fuels, including heavy fuel oils, intermediate fuels, marine gas oil, and marine diesel.
Gordon Shirley, chairman for WIP, says the company has invested $10 million in expanding its business over the past three years, and has plans for further expansion into all fueling areas.
"Our expansion will encompass not being known as a bunkering company but as a fuel company," said Shirley.
"That said, what we'd like to do is to improve the gamut of services - everything that is service-related in the fuel industry - we'd like to corner all aspects of that."
The WIP Endeavor, which is reported to have been recently acquired by WIP in Texas, is said to be worth $4.5 million.
WIP Jam One is said to have been acquired for $700,000 through Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica's (PCJ's) divestment process.
In late 2013, WIP told Ship & Bunker that its business alongside the Panama Canal expansion will allow Jamaica to "realise its potential as the logistics hub of the Caribbean."
