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Gulf Oil Marine, a member of the international Gulf Oil Group and privately owned by the Hinduja Group of India, has announced the establishment of operations in South Africa.

Sealub Alliance South Africa (PTY) Ltd., which has its head office in Cape Town, will form part of the global marine lubricant distribution network operated under the international Sealub Alliance Network. Currently, Sealub Alliance supplies marine lubricants to more than 500 ports in over 50 countries around the world.

Commenting on the news, Caroline Huot, International Gulf Oil Marine CEO and Managing Director, said South Africa was an important location for both the shipping industry and the Sealub Alliance as the network moves forward in its global strategy to service more than 700 ports across 60 countries by the end of 2009.

“It is not just about building the broadest global marine lubricant distribution network but being able to service the specific needs and requirements of ship owners and ship operators who manage their fleets on a 24/7 basis.”

Gulf Oil Marine provides marine lubricant delivery solutions to sea going vessels across the major ports of the world from Singapore to Rotterdam and Hong Kong. It also operates marine lubricant fulfillment services at a range of smaller ports from the Middle East to China and from South America to Russia.

Gulf Oil Marine, through the Sealub Alliance, has partnered with the Watson Group, a wholly, privately-owned company that has more than 40 years’ experience in supplying the local maritime industry.

CEO & Managing Director of Sealub Alliance South Africa, Steve Watson said “Distribution and infrastructure is already in place in all South African ports including Namibia, Mozambique, and Mauritius with lubricant supply services coming on stream in Luanda in the next couple of weeks.”

“The emphasis is on being able to reliably supply high performance base oils, additives and other quality OEM approved marine lubricants – either in bulk supply - as required by the supertankers and ocean carriers, to fulfilling smaller volumes needed by local fishing vessel fleets at quayside.”

“Gulf Oil Marine and its Sealub Alliance partners are in a position to offer the shipping industry marine lubricant delivery solutions from blend plant to port,” said Watson.