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Sea Fuels Marine Services, Inc., a supplier of marine fuels and lubricants based in New Bedford, Massachusetts, has purchased a new 30,000-gallon diesel fuel barge and a new twin engine tug as part of its expansion strategy.

The barge, registered as 'Sea Fuels 1' and the tug, 'Emma Nicole', were acquired from New York-based Reinauer Marine. Financing was said to have been provided by BayCoast Bank - a bank principally serving the people and businesses of southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The acquisitions will enable Sea Fuels Marine Services to expand its operations outside of New Bedford Harbor into Buzzards Bay. Up until now, the bunker firm has been carrying out deliveries in New Bedford Harbor at its fuel dock or via its barge service.

The increased delivery capacity means that the company will be looking to target commercial vessels transiting Buzzards Bay and also opens the door to the delivery of marine fuel to nearby islands such as Cuttyhunk.

"Sea Fuels is now positioned as the premier diesel fuel supplier to the New Bedford fishing fleet and commercial vessels well into the future," John Liarikos, president of Sea Fuels Marine Services, is quoted as saying, adding that the vessels have state-of-the-art pumps and delivery systems for fuel and lubricants.

The new vessel acquisitions are said to comply with Coast Guard regulations requiring all tank barges transporting hazardous materials such as fuel oil and chemicals to be double-hulled and powered by twin engine tug/push boats by the end of 2014.