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On 1st November, the port of Maputo, Mozambique, launched a new bunkering service for ships. It follows the signing of a contract agreement on 28th October between Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) and Petromoc Bunkering Limitada - a joint venture between Geneva-based Augusta Energy S.A. and state oil company Petroleos de Mocambique S.A. (Petromoc)

As a result, Maputo is now able to supply marine fuel to ships calling both at the port and the outer anchorage.

"It definitely is an added value to the Port of Maputo and provides further motivation for vessels to make a single call to load cargo and bunker at the same time," commented Osorio Lucas, CEO of MPDC.

Lucas confirmed that dredging vessels at the port had already been supplied with marine fuel since the launch of the new bunkering service at the start of the month.

Commenting on the new physical supply operation, Fernando Obed Uache, chairman of Petromoc Bunkering Limitada and CEO of Petromoc S.A., said: "Petromoc is proud to participate to the development of the Port of Maputo and offer its customers a first class bunkering service, which will increase the number of vessels calling at Mozambican ports and enhance tax revenues. This new activity also completes the portfolio of Petromoc at the service of the country."

MPDC said the new marine fuel delivery service is "aligned to the strategic plan of the port". The dredging operation currently being carried out to deepen the access channel of the port - from the current 11 metres to 14.2 metres - will allow ships with a deadweight tonnage (dwt) of up to 120,000 tons to call at Maputo.

The dredging project, together with other infrastructure and service initiatives, is designed to increase the competitiveness and attractiveness of Maputo on a regional and international level.

The launch of Petromoc's bunkering service in Maputo follows Bomin's decision to start supplying marine fuel in nearby Mauritius, in July. The company is utilizing a 2008-built, double-hulled bunker barge, the MT Hakkasan, to provide customers with 180 centistoke (cSt) intermediate fuel oil (IFO) and marine gas oil (MGO) in Port Louis.

MPDC is a national private company which was formed via a partnership between the Mozambican Railway Company (Caminhos de Ferro de Mocambique) and Sociedade de Servicos Portuarios S.A. (Portus Indico), comprised by Grindrod, DP World and local firm Mozambique Gestores. Grindrod also has a 50 percent stake in bunker specialist Cockett Group, with Vitol Group owning the other half of the business.

On 15th April 2003, MPDC was given the concession of Maputo Port for a period of 15 years, with an extension option of another 15. In June 2010, the concession period was extended for another 15 years, with an option of an additional ten years of operations after 2033.

In December, Bunker Index reported that Oiltanking GmbH had acquired a stake in Galana Mozambique Ltd - giving Oiltanking an indirect shareholding in two terminal projects for the storage and handling of bulk petroleum and chemical products in the ports of Matola and Beira. Oiltanking and Mauritius supplier Bomin are both owned by Hamburg-based Marquard & Bahls AG.