Wed 7 Apr 2021, 11:14 GMT

Bunker One launches St. Croix supply operation


Company claims it is now the leading independent bunker supplier in the Caribbean.


Bunker One logo.
Image: Bunker Holding
Bunker One confirmed on Wednesday that it has commenced physical supply operations on the island of Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands.

St. Croix, a soon-to-be Caribbean hub with the recent restart of the ex-Hovensa deep conversion refinery, is strategically located along major shipping lanes servicing US crude import and export markets as well as the regional markets for fuel oil and refined petroleum products in the Caribbean and Latin America.

By extending its physical portfolio into St. Croix, Bunker One - which also delivers in Jamaican ports, off Trinidad and off Jamaica - claims that it is now the leading independent bunker supplier in the Caribbean.

Commenting on the latest development, Peter Zachariassen, CEO of Bunker One, said: "I am very proud that Bunker One has been selected as the key physical supplier [in St. Croix] as it aligns perfectly with our expansion plans in the Caribbean. We strive to be our customers' preferred bunkering partner, and the expansion underlines that this is not just a strategy; we execute!"

The 12,551-deadweight-tonne MT Desna Star - a highly specialized bunker tanker fully equipped for bunkering operations - has been added to Bunker One's fleet for the new operation.

The vessel has the capacity to store up to 10,000 metric tonnes of very-low-sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) and 2,200 tonnes of low-sulphur marine gas oil (MGO), with high pumping rate capabilities designed to ensure efficient deliveries and effective operational turnaround.

Bunker One says it will also be providing an ex-pipe bunkering solution for ships working cargo.

Fuel deliveries in St. Croix will be led by Georgia Kounalakis, Managing Director, Bunker One (Gulf of Mexico & Caribbean), and her team of specialists with local knowledge and expertise.

"Bunker One has an established physical supply platform with a market reputation for high-quality customer service, performance and integrity throughout its operation. The St. Croix expansion provides us with an exceptional opportunity to further support our extensive customer portfolio with broad refuelling optionality for all shipping sectors while complementing our existing supply locations," Kounalakis explained.


Illustration of balance scale with cargo ship and penalty block. FuelEU penalties spark contract disputes as first-year compliance costs emerge  

Shipowners and charterers negotiate biofuel handling, payment timing, and multiplier penalties under new regulations.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Singapore tops first global container port ranking by DNV and Menon Economics  

The port leads across all five assessment pillars in inaugural industry report.

Jack Spyros Pringle, Lloyd’s Register. Marine fuel procurement becomes strategic imperative as regulatory pressures mount: LR  

Operators must adopt comprehensive fuel strategies amid supply constraints and compliance costs, says Lloyd's Register.

Xinfu124 ultra-large LNG carrier. Private Chinese shipbuilder plans to deliver eight dual-fuel boxships  

Yangzi Xinfu is fully booked until May 2029 and expected to post annual sales revenue exceeding $1.4 billion.

Østensjø Rederi newbuild tug render. Østensjø Rederi orders methanol-ready tug from Spanish shipyard  

Norwegian operator contracts Astilleros Gondán for vessel with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system.

Bound4blue worker in safety gear. Bound4blue establishes China production base for wind propulsion systems  

Spanish wind propulsion firm targets Asian shipbuilding market with outsourced manufacturing network.

Alfa Laval and Hanwha Ocean Ecotech sign MoU. Alfa Laval and Hanwha Ocean Ecotech partner on ammonia fuel systems  

Collaboration aims to develop ammonia fuel technology for dual-fuel vessels in the Asian market.

Meg Dowling, Lloyd's Register. Nuclear-powered boxships could deliver $68m annual savings: Lloyd's Register  

Small modular reactors could eliminate fuel costs and carbon penalties while boosting cargo capacity, says report.

Minerva Bunkering and Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas (APLP) signing ceremony. Minerva Bunkering extends Las Palmas terminal concession by 15 years  

Bunker supplier adds barge capacity and explores new terminal for energy transition fuels.

Liam Blackmore, Lloyd's Register. Ammonia Energy Association releases gas detection whitepaper with Lloyd's Register input  

Lloyd's Register contributed expertise to new guidance on ammonia detection systems for the maritime sector.