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Physical bunker supplier JSC Wissol Petroleum Georgia (Wissol Petroleum) has reached an agreement with an unnamed firm to sell its marine fuel supply vessel 'Wissol Bunkering', a manager at the company has informed Bunker Index.

Jaba Tarimanashvili, head of the bunkering department at Wissol Petroleum, told Bunker Index that the supply tanker was being sold as part of the process of closing down the company's bunkering operation.

In a statement regarding its decision to exit the bunker market, Wissol said: "Considering the future business development strategy, Wissol Group has decided to redirect its resources into fast growing sectors: food retail and QSR (quick served restaurants). The group will also continue its investments in the energy sector."

Wissol Petroleum began supplying under the 'Wissol Bunkering' brand in March 2008. The company has been carrying out deliveries of marine gasoil (MGO) at the ports of Batumi, Poti, Kulevi and Supsa and has also been a supplier of marine lubricants as distributor of Total Lubmarine in Georgia.

In July 2012, the company said that it was about to commence supplying 380-centistoke (cst) and 180-cst fuel in Georgian ports within a matter of weeks. However, this new area of the business was never officially launched and the company's entire bunker supply operation was finally terminated at the end of last month.

Wissol Petroleum operates the largest network of petrol and compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in Georgia. It is a leading company in the country's energy sector and markets its products through its sub-brands Wissol Gas, Air Wissol and Wissol Gas Distribution Company.

Wissol Group is currently engaged in the development of its food supermarket chain in Georgia, under the brand name Smart, and fast food restaurant chain Wendy's in Georgia and Azerbaijan.