---

UAE-based Horizon Energy Group has applied to the government of Mauritius in order to set up a bunkering facility in the country, according to a government minister.

Speaking to Reuters, Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo, the island nation's finance minister, explained that the government had received applications to establish a marine fuel bunkering facility in Mauritius, with one of the applications coming from Dubai-headquartered Horizon Energy.

Additionally, Mauritius has a deal in place with a Chinese company - said to be LHF Marine Development Ltd. - to start building a fishing port next year on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis, according to Lutchmeenaraidoo. The quay and related facilities, valued at $113 million, would handle up to 20 vessels at a time upon completion in 2018.

Also, DP World, one of the world's leading port operators, is to submit a business plan in November to operate a transshipment port which would serve Africa. A memorandum of understanding is expected to be signed in early 2015.

The bunker project news comes just a month after the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) said it was working with the government of Mauritius to host a forum examining business opportunities linked to the island's development as an international bunkering supplier and hub.

As announced by IBIA in September, 'Mauritius: A Bunker Hub: Driving the Ocean Economy' is to be held at the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, Port Louis, Mauritius from 13-15 October and is organised in partnership with Celero, an independent logistics group based in Mauritius and Madagascar.

Mauritius occupies a strategic position in the Indian Ocean, offering a base for shipping on the East-West trade routes and for businesses looking for a convenient doorstep to Africa. The Mauritius Port Authority already offers special port tariffs for bunkering operations.

Contact details for Horizon Energy Group have been provided below.

Telephone: +971 4 2955 151
Fax: +971 4 2955 131
Email: info@horizon-uae.com
Website: www.horizon-uae.com

Address:
P.O. Box 111551
Dubai
United Arab Emirates