Mauritius and Seychelles Aim For Bigger Share of Indian Ocean Bunker Market

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday November 18, 2014

The islands of Mauritius and Seychelles have set sights on grabbing larger shares of the Indian Ocean bunkering market, reports IHS Maritime 360. 

Mauritius' State Trading Company (STC) said it would be launching a joint venture with Indian Oil Corporation and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals to market petrochemical products, in addition to long-term plans for a floating storage facility to attract more business. 

Similarly, Seychelles has also used its current floating operation, run by state-owned Seypec, to establish itself as a bunkering hub. 

The island is expecting increased bunkering activity due to a boom in tuna fishing, according to Seypac CEO Conrad Benoiton. 

In the meantime, Mauritius is reportedly focusing on expanding storage capacity for bunkers, with aims to undercut neighbouring competitors. 

Mauritius also announced early this year that it planned to triple its bunker volumes "in the medium term."