Two contracts signed over the past week have lifted the sales of BP Marine's refueling operation in Oman's southerly port of Salalah to average around 35,000 tons a month from October.
The bunkering service, which commenced operations in mid-February this year, is expected to resume supplying fuel at anchorage in October. Refueling at the anchorage is discontinued during the June through September ‘Khareefe' monsoon season for safety reasons.
“Casual sales to passing container ships and local dhows have been growing steadily since we opened in February but these first two ongoing contracts, worth about 10,000 tons a month, have been a great boost,” said Seve Kyriacou, fuels manager Middle East of BP Marine.
Situated at the junction of the main east-west Indian Ocean shipping route, Salalah Port provides an alternative by allowing vessels to refuel during their voyage, as carrying less fuel enables them to carry additional cargo. Refueling at the anchorage helps minimize the amount of pilotage time involved.
BP Marine is a supplier of marine bunkers with operations in major bunker ports around the globe. Products are supplied to international specifications. In addition to fuel supplies, BP Marine is also the world's largest marine lubricants supplier. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
