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Baltic Fuel Company LLC (BFC) has put into operation a conventional tanker, Valery Zelenko [pictured], for the delivery of bunker fuel at the Russian port of St. Petersburg.

The 3,495-dwt vessel has a double bottom and inner skin. It has a length of 92.86 metres and a breadth of 14.36 metres. It is also said to meet the requirements of MARPOL Annex VI.

Built in 2002 at Gemyat Shipyard, Turkey, the oil tanker has a cargo tank capacity that exceeds 4,000 cubic metres.

According to BFC, the vessel was registered with the international register on May 23, 2013 and was granted permission to sail under the flag of the Russian Federation.

"The Valery Zelenko was acquired within the framework of BFC Group's investment programme aimed at reinforcement of the group's position in the North West region and its geographical expansion within the country," said BFC Director General Stanislav Korneyev.

"We intend to continue the bunkering business development and we also pay significant attention to the ecological aspect. There is a plan for this year to buy two river-sea class vessels for the collection of ship-generated waste," he added.