HARBOR BUNKERING

Barging Ahead

Barge operators are often accused of giving the marine fuels industry a bad name. While it is true that there are barging companies with a debatable approach to the business, they are very much in the minority. Worldwide, barge operators are working hard to improve their services and operations. In many respects, they are leading not only the bunker industry — but shipping as a whole. Nowhere is this demonstrated clearer than during barge-to-ship transfers of oil; nowhere is this expertise better demonstrated that in the U.S. Operating bunker barges in the U.S. is a fraught business. To say the very least, U.S. authorities do not like oil in their harbors, and culprits can find themselves on the sharp end of some harsh penalties if negligence is proved. In addition to the penalties, the bureaucratic paperweight that descends on bunkerers subsequent to a spill is hefty indeed. According to one U.S. bunkerman, no fewer than 17 officials turned up when a couple of gallons of oil were spilled by his company during a delivery. There is, then, plenty of incentive for U.S. bunker barge operators to get things right. And, it has to be said, the U.S. has some of the world's best barging companies plying its harbor waters. IBIA recently looked at the issue of quality barging in its quarterly journal World Bunkering. One of the respondents to a questionnaire sent to a quartet of quality barging firms around the world was a Houston-based firm

USCG Detains Foreign Freight Vessel Again

USCG inspectors in Dutch Harbor detained 281-ft. freight ship Jacha for the third time since Aug. 1998 due to Safety of Life At Sea violations (SOLAS). Inspectors found seven discrepancies aboard 14-year-old Jacha, including fire doors that didn't close properly, an incompetent fire drill and water leaks on the vessel's main engine. Due to Jacha's history of safety discrepancies, this time, it is not permitted to conduct any cargo operations

New Bunkering Firm Formed

A new Bunker Trading Company was established in Singapore in early April. The company is called United Bunkering & Trading (Asia) Pte. Ltd., and is backed by a major European investor. In the year 2000/2001, the total turnover reached $600 million. United Bunkering & Trading (Asia) Pte. Ltd., said it can handle supplies of bunker oil to ships throughout the world and also supply other naturally related products and services, like lubricants, crew change and agency service

Vopak Expands Bunker Capacity

Vopak is extending its capacity for discharging and loading bunker oil. The construction of a third bunker jetty and the extension of the terminal pipeline with two 24-inch lines have to be finished before summer. The project must end the delays at the terminal at peak moments. The entrance of the new Argos Terminal also expects relaxation of the stressed bunker market, by the end of the year.

Bunkering in Singapore - an Alternate View

SSA rtespondes to allegations of bunkering irregularities in Singapore.   Bunkering is an important industry for Singapore. Consequently, the bunker supplying industry in Singapore is therefore also highly regulated by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) - all Singapore bunker suppliers, bunker tankers and bunker surveyors involved in the bunkering business are required to be licensed by MPA. The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) therefore takes a very serious view

OW Bunker Acquire Bergen Bunkers

OW Bunker to acquire the entire share capital of marine fuels & lubricants supplier Bergen Bunkers AS. Bergen Bunkers has offices in Bergen and St Petersburg, and provides fuel and lubricants to some of Norway's leading ship owners and operators, as well as global customers. Bergen Bunkers employs 12 staff, and will retain its existing brand name, operating as an integrated and wholly owned subsidiary of OW Bunker.

IBIA And Videotel Launch Packages

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) and Videotel Marine International have released a three-part Basic Bunkering video series, based on IBIA's Basic Bunkering Course. Running for a total of 52 minutes, the three individual modules are supplemented by a workbook, which covers commercial, technical and operational aspects of bunkering.

New bunkering Deal in Trinidad

Fuels alliance between Petrotrin and BP Marine will offer more bunkering and supply resources and superior service to the region. Improved bunkering facilities in the Caribbean region are planned as a new agreement is announced between Petrotrin and BP Marine, which will combine to provide improved fuel supply services along the Key West coast ports of Trinidad. Petrotrin, the national oil Company of Trinidad and Tobago have an established marine bunkering infrastructure

Singapore’s New Standards in Bunkering

SPRING and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore launch the first standard in the world for both bunker suppliers and surveyors. SPRING Singapore and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) have launched a new standard, the Singapore Standard SS 600: 2008 – Code of Practice for Bunkering, to further enhance consistency in practices in the delivery of bunkers for ships calling at Singapore’s port.

Veson Nautical Announces Imos6 Bunker Management Phase II

New IMOS6 (Integrated Maritime Operations System) Bunker Management Solution Helps Enhance Voyage Profitability BOSTON, MA and STAMFORD, CT – March 21, 2011– At the Connecticut Maritime Association 2011 Shipping Exposition today Veson Nautical, the premier provider of maritime commercial management and trading software solutions, announced Phase II of the company’s IMOS6 Bunker Management Module. Veson’s newest offering helps professionals manage their overall