EMEA News
Minerva Bunkers Launches Offshore Physical Supply Operation in West Africa
Minerva Bunkers Thursday announced that it has begun offshore physical supply operations in the West African region, which includes the offshore waters of the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.
"The launch will complement the company’s current trading operation across the region," the Mercuria subsidiary said.
The company says Sea Lion I, a 13,115 DWT double-hulled tanker with a pumping capacity of up to 1,000 metric tonnes (mt) per hour, will supply customers with a full range of fuels.
To ensure accuracy in the quantity of fuel supplied, Minerva Bunkers also notes that the Sea Lion I is set to be fitted with a Coriolis Mass Flow Meter during 2016's first quarter.
"We know this region very well and know what our customers need in this region — fast and accurate supply, high quality products and being able to avoid unnecessary port calls and lengthy waits," said Miguel Fernandez, Physical Supply Business Development Manager for Minerva Bunkers.
"With our own vessel and control over the supply chain, we are able to provide our customers with the highest quality fuels in the most efficient and cost effective way."
Minerva Bunker says that a second tanker of similar size to the Sea Lion I is expected to be launched before March.
The company says that it currently provides a wide range of bunker fuels in offshore West Africa, including MGO and IFO ranging from 30 to 380 cst, and is in the process of acquiring certifications including ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004, as well as occupational health and safety standard OHSAS 18001.
"With our team’s expertise in serving offshore markets worldwide, as well as an in depth knowledge of the local markets, we can deliver Minerva Bunkers trademark quality service where our customers need it," added Fernandez.
In February, Ship & Bunker reported that Monjasa and Trafigura were dominating in the West African physical bunker market as other players were exiting over security fears.
