Supply Network News

I will readily confess that 20 years ago I was not convinced that EV’s were the answer to sustainable energy. Instead, I had long been a fan of hydrogen. I was well aware that there were technical issues associated with hydrogen, but was equally aware that, for total sustainable energy, a transportable fuel is needed and hydrogen seemed to be the way to go.I envisioned hydrogen generation from sustainable sources (wind, solar, etc) and the use of hydrogen with fuel cells in cars, ships and with gas turbines in airplanes.

TotalEnergies Marine Fuels has moved closer to starting its LNG bunkering services in  Singapore, following a ship naming ceremony of the Brassavola LNG bunker vessel that was held at Sembcorp Marine’s Tuas Boulevard Yard on Tuesday.Measuring 116.5m in length and 22m in width with a capacity of 12,000m3, the ship will be the largest LNG bunker vessel for use in service in the Port of Singapore. The Brassavola is scheduled to be operational in the first quarter of 2023. Louise Tricoire…

Dutch marine battery system supplier EST-Floattech has delivered 1092kWh of battery capacity for new, full-electric ferry Wellingdorf in a contract with system integrator Holland Ship Electric. The zero-emission vessel, the fifth in a series of six hybrid and full-electric vessels for Kiel-based tug and ferry operator SFK, was designed and built by Holland Shipyards Group. The last (hybrid) vessel Schilksee is expected to be delivered early 2026.Earlier this year Holland Shipyards Group…

As of August 1, 2021, Wilhelmsen will begin to take over sales, logistics and consulting for Klüber Lubrication’s maritime portfolio for its sea going vessels. Initially within European countries and Southeast Asia, followed by the rest of the world from October 2021. “This exclusive partnership pairs Klüber Lubrication’s market-leading marine lubricants with our unrivalled sales, customer service and supply network," said Kjell Andre Engen, EVP Marine Products, Wilhelmsen.Complementing Wilhelmsen’s existing marine products portfolio…

French energy group Total said Monday it had realized the first ship-to-containership Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering operation in France. The world’s largest LNG bunker vessel in operation, Total’s Gas Agility, completed on Friday evening, April 30th, at the Port of Dunkirk the refueling of the world’s largest containership powered by LNG, the CMA CGM Jacques Saade, with around 16,400m3 of LNG.This inaugural operation also marks Dunkerque LNG terminal’s first loading of…

Malaysian oil company Petronas and China-based oil firm CNOOC, have signed a memorandum of understanding to "pursue mutual growth through closer collaboration.""The MoU elevates the long-standing relationship between the two parties from primarily liquefied natural gas (LNG) and upstream projects towards a shared ambition in energy security and cleaner energy solutions," Petronas said.The parties will "intensify" collaboration in LNG, upstream exploration & development projects…

Gazpromneft Marine Lubricants said it has expanded its network in the Mediterranean to 27 ports in Greece, seven ports in Egypt, and 20 ports in Turkey.Partner’s production facilities in Turkey and Greece, as well as a warehouse in Egypt, allow the company to maintain product availability and provide short notice in the region, it said. Gazpromneft Marine Lubricants product portfolio includes 15 branded engine lubricants for use with various kinds of fuel, and also hydraulic, compressor, gear, turbine oils, special greases.

The largest seaport in Europe Port of Rotterdam saw a freight throughput of 469.4 million tonnes in 2019, fractionally higher than in 2018 (469 million tonnes).According to a release, investments by the Port of Rotterdam Authority were again at a high level, with gross investments including participation amounting to €338.3 million (2018: €408.1 million). The net result excluding taxes amounted to €241 million (2018: €254.1 million).Significant underlying shifts were observable between the various commodities. Whereas crude oil, container, LNG and biomass throughput increased, coal and mineral oil product throughput decreased.Over the past year significant progress has been made with digitization and the energy transition…

The Vietnam National Shipping Lines Corporation (Vinalines) has set sights on joining the global shipping alliances (GSA).As part of this move, Vinalines will devise a number of measures to further promote growth of its three key sectors of seaport, shipping industry and maritime services.According to Acting General Director of Vinalines Nguyen Canh Tinh, the firm will focus resources on these three decisive fields, which are expected to create breakthrough development for the corporation.Vinalines will pay attention to improving its competitiveness through providing all-in-one logistics service to customers, and promoting application of information technology…

UAE-based Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) Group has signed a MoU with IMS Oil, international trading operator in Greece, to exclusively supply lubricants for up to 16 product tankers at IMS Oil’s Fujairah and Singapore ports.The partnership expands ENOC’s marine lubricants supply network to over 110 ports in 23 countries worldwide, a statement said.ENOC currently supplies lubricants to marine vessels such as offshore supply boats, container liners, tankers, Navy and Coastguard ships, using a network of transport options including road tanker trucks and pipelines.Saif Humaid Al Falasi, group CEO of ENOC, said: “We continuously aspire to further expand our local, regional and international presence and are excited about the opportunities this presents for the Group.

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec ), China's first large-scale production of greener low-sulfur marine fuel oil (LSFO), announced the production capability of 10 million and 15 million tons of low-sulfur marine fuel oil in 2020 and 2023.The Beijing-based Chinese oil and gas enterprise said in a press release that by January 1, 2020, Zhoushan and other China major ports will be fully covered with Sinopec product availability, and more than 50 key overseas ports, including Singapore, will be covered with Sinopec supply ability.The commitment will contribute 600,000 tons of sulfur oxide emissions reduction, equivalent to shutting…

Bunker One (Gulf of Mexico) SA announced the newest addition to its Offshore US Gulf and Caribbean fleet, M/T Waltz.The physical supplier, that is now one of the largest suppliers in the Caribbean, has commenced operations in Freeport from 1 June.Henceforth, this provides vessels sailing outbound from the US Gulf to Europe, longhaul markets in Asia and elsewhere, a very attractive refueling option.The M/T Waltz will inaugurate Bunker One’s entry as a physical supplier to Freeport Bahamas supplying at Outer anchorage and Freeport Offshore, complementing the already well-established Offshore US Gulf operation with M/T Barbarica.The fully equipped bunkering vessel…

Minerva Bunkering, formerly Aegean Marine Bunkering Network now a fully-owned subsidiary of Mercuria Energy Group, appointed Tyler Baron as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).Baron will be based in Geneva, and will oversee Minerva’s global business operations across Europe, the Americas and Asia, said a press note from the physical supplier of marine fuels.“Given Tyler’s history with and dedication to the company, as well as his breadth of experience in financial markets and capital allocation, he is the ideal candidate to lead Minerva Bunkering,” said Magid Shenouda, Global Head of Trading at Mercuria.“Through his leadership the new Minerva is positioned for success through a customer centric global platform and dedicated team of employees.

On April 15th, 2019, a large bunker supply vessel (BSV) for liquefied natural gas (LNG) “Kairos” provided LNG in a ship-to-ship bunker operation to a product tanker. “Fure Valö”, a vessel of the tanker pool managed by the Gothia Tanker Alliance, received LNG at the anchorage area of Sandhamn, near the Swedish capital of Stockholm. The bunker operation was the first offshore ship-to-ship operation that was conducted by the 117 meter long BSV.The bunker operation was conducted under an agreement for the supply of LNG…

Marine fuel logistics company Aegean Marine Petroleum Network  announced  that its plan of reorganization became effective and it has emerged from the voluntary Chapter 11 restructuring commenced on November 6, 2018.The company will now operate under the name of 'Minerva Bunkering', a fully-owned subsidiary of Mercuria Energy Group Limited, a major privately-held energy and commodities group with an annual turnover in excess of $100 billion.“We are pleased that Aegean has completed its restructuring, and now as part of Mercuria, is a significantly stronger company with greater supply capabilities and access to liquidity,” said Aegean Board Director Tyler Baron.“As the new Minerva Bunkering…

The electrical capacity of the APM Terminals Barcelona has also been improved, leading to a reduction in CO2 emissions of 600 tonnes per annum, said the international container terminal operating company headquartered in The Hague.As part of a broader Port of Barcelona’s programme for alternative fuel use, APM Terminals is also working with LNG services provider HAM, technology provider IDIADA and Naturgy Iberia, on a pilot to convert an existing straddle carrier to natural gas.Natural gas burns a lot more cleanly and efficiently than diesel. The straddle carrier’s two 150 kW diesel-based motor engines are currently being converted to natural gas while maintaining the same level of performance.

The oil giant Saudi Aramco has competed the rehabilitation and upgrade project of the Yanbu South Terminal (YST), which adds an extra three million barrels per day of crude oil to its West Coast export capacity.Yanbu South Terminal, which is located south of Yanbu City on the West Coast of Saudi Arabia, consists of a tank farm and offshore facilities to receive, store and load Arab Light (AL) and Arab Super Light (ASL) crude oil.The facility’s integration with the existing crude oil supply network adds 3 million barrels per day to Saudi Aramco’s export capacity through the West Coast, thereby reinforcing the reputation of Saudi Aramco…

Nauticor has extended its liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply network for ships within the North Sea region and has now begun delivering to maritime customers in the Port of Rotterdam. The Dutch port is the latest location added to the firm’s LNG distribution network, adding to a growing portfolio of one of the leading suppliers of LNG as fuel for ships. The premier bunker operation by Nauticor in the Port of Rotterdam saw the containership Wes Amelie, owned by Wessels Reederei based in Haren/Ems, receive the chilled fuel.

Aegean Marine Petroleum Network has announced the launch of a new service center in Savannah, Georgia, the third largest container port in the United States. The operations in Savannah will be managed by the existing Aegean U.S. team. Under the terms of the agreement with Colonial Terminals, Inc., Aegean will lease tankage from Colonial's oil terminal on the Savannah River. Aegean will acquire and blend a full range of bunker fuel products and has agreed to supply Colonial Oil Industries, Inc. with a range of No. 6 oil products for Colonial's truck delivery business. Aegean has contracted with the Vane Brothers Company to provide barge services in the port.

The Nautican Research and Development manufacturing facility in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, said it is now ready to ship the facility's first Integrated Propulsion Unit (IPU) to a client in Alaska. “Nautican is another excellent example of an emerging advanced marine technology company finding success right here on Prince Edward Island,” said PEI Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Heath MacDonald, who was on site with Nautican representatives to review the Ocean Series Class 200 IPU system prior to shipment.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplier Bomin Linde LNG said it has secured a capacity of 7,500 m3 LNG bunker supply vessel, the largest of its kind to date, via a time-charter contract signed with ship owner Bernhard Schulte on September 30, 2016. The vessel is chartered by a joint venture, established in November 2015, in which Bomin Linde LNG holds 90 percent. The remaining 10 percent are held by Klaipėdos Nafta, the owner and operator of the Klaipeda LNG import terminal. Upon the vessel’s commissioning slated for late 2018…

Gazpromneft Marine Bunker Ltd performed its first delivery of marine oil to the vessel operated by Chevron in Ust-Luga port. The delivery was arranged with cooperation with Gazpromneft-Lubricants – the Gazprom neft’s oil and lubricants business operator – as a part of its agreement for integration into the Chevron’s global supply network. Gazpromneft West bunkering vessel delivered 13.5 tonnes of TARO 40 XL 40 X marine oil to Seamarlin crude oil tanker (DWT 40549 tonnes). The agreement with Chevron was reached in 2012 and provides production of marine oil under the Chevron brand at Omsk and Moscow oil refineries as well as deliveries of these oils within the territories of Russia and the Baltic states.

Engine manufacturer Perkins hires Andrew Goldspink to succeed retiring general manager Steve Phillips. After 30 years at engine manufacturer Perkins, Steve Phillips has elected to retire from his role as General Manager of the company’s marine facility in Wimborne. Over his years at Perkins, Phillips has held leadership roles in Parts and Service (London), Marine Service Manager for the Asia Pacific region (Singapore), through to his current role as General Manager (Wimborne, UK).