Gibraltar Port Authority Visits Athens to Engage Bunker Suppliers and Shipping Community

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday June 23, 2015

The HM Government of Gibraltar (Gibraltar) Friday announced that senior staff from the Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) are currently visiting Athens, Greece to engage with local principal bunker suppliers and senior representatives from the Greek shipping community.

The trip comes as part of Gibraltar's continuing efforts to market the services provided by the maritime industry in Gibraltar, and is intended to increase the "already sizeable" number of Greek vessels calling at Gibraltar.

"This is a great opportunity to highlight the fact that Gibraltar offers the full range of marine services to owners and operators, in addition to a first class bunkering service," said Bob Sanguinetti, CEO and Captain of the Port.

"We will be listening to what our customers have to say, as feedback is always welcome."

The visit is also part of the GPA's wider strategy to consolidate its position as the premier bunkering port in the Mediterranean.

Discussions during the visit will reportedly focus on recent changes and initiatives at the port and ways to further improve efficiencies.

"Gibraltar's position as the premier bunkering port in the Mediterranean is extremely important to the economy of Gibraltar as a whole, and this visit is an effective way for the GPA to continue to strengthen its relationships with its principal bunker suppliers and their current and future clients," said the Hon Albert Isola, Minister for Financial Services and Gaming.

"In an increasingly competitive marketplace it is important that we continue to engage with our existing clients and seek new business for the Jurisdiction"

The Greek controlled shipping fleet is said to account for almost 20 percent of the total world tonnage.

On Monday, it was reported that the Gibraltar Government is using Carnival Corporation & plc's (Carnival's) recent order for four giant cruise ships with LNG hybrid engines to push their agenda of developing liquid natural gas (LNG) bunkering infrastructure in Gibraltar.