World's First Barge-to-Ship Methanol Bunkering Carried out in Rotterdam
On May 10, 2021, the methanol-dual fueled chemical tanker Takaroa Sun, owned by NYK Bulkship (Asia) Pte. Ltd. participated in what is touted as the world’s first barge-to-ship bunkering of methanol fuel. The bunkering of methanol fuel was conducted in Rotterdam port under the leadership of the charterer Waterfront Shipping Company Limited, together with the cooperation of the Port of Rotterdam, Royal Vopak N.V., and TankMatch B.V.Methanol fuel produces up to 15% less carbon emissions during combustion than conventional fuel oil and reduces sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions by approximately 99%.
Vopak Executive Quits Over Strategy
Dutch shipping and tank storage firm Vopak NV said a member of its executive board had resigned due to "differences of opinion" regarding the company's future. Van Westenbrugge's resignation follows that of former vice-president Roelof Hendriks, who left the company last month in a dispute over the direction of the company, Vopak said.
Vopak To Sell Dry Goods Line
Vopak NV plans to sell its dry goods line agent business to unlisted Dutch freight transport and logistics company Royal Burger Groep. No financial details of the transaction were released. "The line agent usually transports dry goods, and Vopak is more an oil and chemicals shipper," a Vopak spokeswoman said. The planned sale includes the line agent activities in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland, Vopak said. The 177 people employed by the line agency will be transferred to the Burger Groep. - (Reuters)
Vopak Sells Stake In Heavy Transport Group
Dutch-based chemical distribution and storage company Vopak NV said on Thursday it had sold one third of its 30 percent stake in unit Heavy Transport Group NV to unlisted Dutch partner Heerema. The transaction will generate a book profit of about 20 million euros ($18.15 million), which will be included in the 2001 results as an extraordinary gain, Vopak said in a brief statement. Last week, the group said it planned to trim its ownership in the shipping sector. Vopak was formed in November 1999 through the merger of Dutch sector peers Van Ommeren and Pakhoed NV. - (Reuters)
Vopak Says No Go On Tank Storage Sale
Dutch-based chemical distribution and storage company Vopak NV said on Monday it was not considering selling its tank storage activities despite interest from another company. Vopak's statement followed a report that the company had received a 1.1 billion euro bid for its tank storage activities from a foreign company. But Vopak said hiving off the tank storage activities, which contributed about two-thirds of the company's cash flow, was not consistent with its strategy. "Capitalizing on the prevailing cohesion between logistics and chemical distribution continues to be the cornerstone of our strategy, particularly since the oil and chemical industry is increasingly striving for consolidation of its logistics and distribution activities," company officials said.
Vopak To Sell Bitumen Fleet
Dutch-based chemical distribution and storage company Vopak NV said it signed a memorandum of understanding to sell its bitumen fleet to Swedish Tarbit Shipping AB. No financial details of the planned sale were released. Vopak had earlier said the bitumen fleet member Theodora Tanker no longer fitted with its strategy. Earlier this year Vopak sold one-third of its 30 percent stake in unit Heavy Transport Group to unlisted Dutch partner Heerema. Vopak was formed in November 1999 through the merger of Dutch sector peers Van Ommeren and Pakhoed NV. - (Reuters)
Broström Vessel Launched at Ferus Smit
At a ceremony on February 8 at the Shipyard Ferus Smit in the vicinity of Groningen, Holland, another modern, double-hulled product tanker of 7,600 dwt was launched and named. The vessel was given the name BRO GEMINI by the godmother Mrs Betty van den Driest, the wife of Mr Carel van den Driest, Chairman of the Executive Board of Koninklijke Vopak NV. BRO GEMINI will when delivered be serving Broström's portfolio of cargo contracts with major oil companies together with the earlier delivered sister vessels BRO GRACE, BRO GLORY, BRO GLOBE and BRO GALAXY. All these vessels are the result of a close co-operation between Broström and Erik Thun AB. Another three vessels are on order at the same yard.
Vopak Reports '99 Net Down, Eyes Improvement
Dutch shipping and tank storage firm Vopak NV reported that its ordinary net profit fell by 5.3 percent in 1999, but said it expected improvements this year. Net profit from ordinary activities fell to $163.2 million, from $174.4 million in 1998, roughly in line with analysts' forecasts and earlier indications from the company of a five to 10 percent drop. The weakness was largely due to a drop in earnings at Tanker Shipping as excess capacity pressured rates. Total group net profits fell to $105. 3 million from $170 million, after $51.7 million of one-off charges mostly related to last year's merger. Vopak, the world's largest oil and chemical storage firm, was formed last year through the combination of Dutch rivals Van Ommeren and Pakhoed.
