First ever bunker supply reaches port of Paradip

May 17, 2017: Gulf Petrochem Group, the UAE-based global bunker supplier, has set another milestone in its operations with the successful execution of the first-ever bunker supply by barge at the non-conventional port of Paradip in Odisa, India’s east coast in a joint effort with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). 

Gulf Petrochem arranged for the supply of 810 metric tonnes of bunker fuel IFO 180 CST by barge, which marks a major achievement for the company. Typically, supplies were made to the non-regular bunker port of Paradip only by Road Tanker Wagons (RTW) and for small volumes. MT Dolphin, a bunker barge, was introduced to expedite the supply of the 810 metric tonnes cargo to the vessel MV COUNTESS I, highlighting a major triumph for both Gulf Petrochem and the Port of Paradip.

IOCL, the only physical supplier, had recently introduced the duty-free 180 CST for vessels calling at Paradip. But the supplies were made through RTWs at berth. With the introduction of MT Dolphin, bigger future volumes of bunker fuel requirement at the port can be seamlessly met.

Manan Goel, group director, Gulf Petrochem, said, “The supply of bunker fuel by barge to Paradip will significantly scale up the efficiency of the port, and underlines our commitment to strengthen our operations and deliver truly value-added services. In future, larger volumes of bunker fuel can be supplied that will facilitate bigger vessel arrivals to Paradip, with it evolving as a strategic port on the east coast of India. We were venturing into uncharted waters, and are thankful to the support of all our partners for their close coordination that made the planning and execution smooth.”

With Gulf Petrochem supplying to MV COUNTESS I, future bunker supplies at berth or inner anchorage can be executed by barge. MT Dolphin is an IV class barge of 500 MT capacity of Fuel Oil and 50 MT of Gas Oil, with a pumping rate of 150 MT-200 MT per hour for FO and 25 MT for Gas Oil. Gulf Petrochem will also arrange for the supply of smaller quantities by RTWs at the berth of up to 250MT supplies in a single day.

Gulf Petrochem, a worldwide bunker supplier, has bunker facilities in the UAE, India, Singapore and the entire Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp (ARA) region through its representative offices.