Asia/Pacific News
New Zealand Storage Facility to Expand After Bunker Demand Grows
Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited (Mobil) says growing demand for bunkers has pushed it to increase the capacity of its storage facility at the Port of Tauranga by more than 8 million litres.
"To better service the rapidly growing demand from cargo vessels and cruise ships at the Port of Tauranga, we converted an existing 8 million litre tank at the Mt Maunganui Terminal into a fuel oil tank, that meets the requirements for storing and handling heavy fuel oil," said Andrew McNaught, Mobil's lead country manager.
"This project represents a significant investment in Mobil's New Zealand operations."
The project also includes the modification of the terminal's boiler facility and upgrading of the control room and operating system.
McNaught said the company has invested more than $70 million in improving its New Zealand fuel distribution and retail facilities over the past six years.
Mobil operates six terminals in New Zealand, including the Mt Maunganui Terminal, which handles more than 300 million litres of fuel per year and includes the only heavy fuel marine bunkering operation in the country, according to the company's website.
New Zealand government officials said in March that the country is moving forward with plans to deepen and widen shipping channels at the Port of Tauranga to allow larger vessels to reach the port.
