Image credit: Monjasa

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Monjasa has announced that it has acquired the 3,600-deadweight tanker MT Fredericia for continued bunker operation in the world's second-busiest waterway, the English Channel.

The vessel has been on time charter with Monjasa for a number of years prior to the acquisition.

Back in 2016, Monjasa started an exclusive bunker supply operation in the English Channel following talks with Thames Fishermens' Association and fuel supplier Portland Bunkers UK Ltd. The service was launched as an alternative for shipowners and operators taking bunkers in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region.

In this setup, the MT Fredericia performs bunkering operations in the Portland, Tongue Anchorage and Falmouth areas, supplying intermediate fuel oil (IFO) and marine gas oil (MGO).

Full ownership of sourcing, storage and supply

The MT Fredericia is a 2008 purpose-built bunker tanker, and from its current location will continue to refuel ships entering and exiting North Europe's Emission Control Area (ECA).

Group CEO Anders Ostergaard, explained the reason for acquiring the supply tanker, saying: "We are seeing a steady demand for our services in the UK and this is also the reason why we decided to acquire the vessel. Monjasa now gains full ownership of the supply chain as we already control all sourcing and storage of oil products at our oil terminal in Portland Port."

"We are seeing a steady demand for our services in the UK and this is also the reason why we decided to acquire the vessel. Monjasa now gains full ownership of the supply chain as we already control all sourcing and storage of oil products at our oil terminal in Portland Port," Ostergaard added.

Busy cruise season ahead

As part of its activities, the MT Fredericia currently carries out a number of weekly deliveries to cruise ships in nearby Southampton - one of the world's busiest cruise ports.

Monjasa says it has seen an increase in the number of fuel deliveries to this particular customer segment over the past two years, and this summer forecasts a busy period ahead for the vessel and its crew.

In 2017, Monjasa notes that it supplied 700,000 metric tonnes of marine fuel across Northwest Europe - equivalent to 19 percent of the firm's total sales volume of 3.5 million tonnes.

MT Fredericia: Key characteristics

- Purpose-built double hull bunker tanker
- Year built: 2008
- Dwt: 3,600
- LOA: 83.40m
- Beam: 13m