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The international marine sales department of bunker supply firm Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) has confirmed that it is looking at the possibility of supplying marine fuel to international customers at the Caribbean island of Bonaire.

In an email to customers, sent on September 18, marine bunker trader Orlando Castejón confirmed that PDVSA is "now doing an analysis in order to begin the bunker service in Bonaire".

Castejón added: "PDVSA has bunker facilities in Bonaire Oil Terminal and at the moment we can only supply product for PDVSA's fleet. Nevertheless, now we want to extend that service for international customers as well, and because of this we will need you to send us your comments or your demand at that location in order to make a busines decision and see if we are able to reach your needs."

The Bonaire Petroleum Corporation, N.V. (BOPEC) oil terminal is a fuel oil storage terminal that is wholly owned by PDVSA. Located at the north-western part of the island, the facility was opened in 1975.

Functioning primarily as a storage and transshipment facility for various grades of refined and non-refined oils from Venezuela and refineries in Curacao and Aruba, BOPEC also has mixing and blending capabilities for its stored fuels.

Built with two loading piers and deep-water sheltered access, BOPEC's no. 1 pier can receive tankers weighing up to 500,000 deadweight tonnes (dwt) with a 95-foot draft restriction while the no. 2 pier can receive tankers up to 80,000 dwt with a 48-foot draft restriction.

Currently, the main supplier in Bonaire, is Curoil N.V.. The company supplies low sulphur marine gas oil (MGO) at the port of Kralendijk - the capital city and main port of Bonaire. Its operations cover all three of the so-called 'ABC islands' of the Leeward Antilles - Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao - which form part of the Lesser Antilles.

In order to provide feedback to PDVSA on the issue of a bunker service in Bonaire, please find the contact details of Orlando Castejón below.

Orlando Castejón
Asesor Integral de Ventas Internacionales
Gerencia de Ventas Marinos
PDVSA Mercado Nacional
Tel: +58 241-8203157
Mob: +58 416-6457821
Fax: +58 212-3308465
Email: castejono@pdvsa.com