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Trinidad and Tobago's National Petroleum (NP) plans to establish a bunkering operation in Haiti, according to the company's chairman Neil Gosine.

Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation between Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, July 27, Gosine said the agreement would allow Haiti access to products such as diesel, liquified petroleum gas and lubricants via NP, Petrotrin and National Energy (formerly National Energy Corporation).

Gosine said NP would brand nine independent stations. "We want to fast-track this, within six to nine months. We have already done the feasibility studies for the branding of the stations in Haiti and we are conducting feasibility studies for another opportunities, namely LPG, bunkering, fuel storage and supply of lubricants," Gosine said, adding that NP would be working in cooperation with Petrotrin and National Energy.

Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine said National Energy was working on a port project with the Haitian government.

Petrotrin chairman Lindsay Gillette said the first cargo of fuel would be sent to Haiti in a couple of months and that her company was aware of the current fuel shortage in Haiti, said to be around 120,000 barrels per day.