EMEA News
Gibraltar Bunker Sales Volumes Climb 11% YoY in First Three Months of 2017
Bunker sales volumes at the Port of Gibraltar were up 11 percent year on year in the first three months of 2017, while the number of ships calling the port for bunkers was up 12 percent year on year, Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of the Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA), has told Ship & Bunker.
"We've had a very strong end to 2016 and start to 2017," said Sanguinetti, noting that, while it is still early in the year, bunker sales volumes have so far have been the highest since 2012.
Commenting on the likely reasons behind the observed increased numbers, Sanguinetti points to "a combination of factors," including a strong relationship between the port authority and the local port community, bunker suppliers, shipping agents, and other service providers.
"We are also very keen to engage on a one-to-one basis with the shipowners and operators to get a better understanding of what their needs are and to ensure that they are fully aware of the wide range of services that we can deliver here at the port," said Sanguinetti.
Improved efficiencies at the port have also supported the increase in sales and bunker-related traffic, says Sanguinetti, explaining that a number of developments in Gibraltar's bunkering infrastructure has assisted bunker supplier operations and increased throughput in the process.
GPA's marketing strategy, which includes outreach activities geared toward the wider shipping community across a number of different forums, such as conventions and exhibitions, is credited with lending further support to the growing bunker sales seen in Gibraltar.
"We have a rock-solid reputation, which doesn't come easy, and we're very keen to protect it and reinforce it," concluded Sanguinetti.
Current observed growth at Gibraltar comes after GPA announced in January that 2016 saw the second consecutive year of growth in terms of the number of vessels calling at Gibraltar for bunkers, as well as the quantity of fuel delivered.
