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SGX Mainboard-listed Chemoil, one of the world’s leading physical suppliers of marine fuel products, has announced that it has delivered more than 850,000 metric tons (mt) of marine fuels since the commencement of its offshore supply service in the Gulf of Mexico in August 2007.

Launched 22 months ago, Chemoil’s marine fuel supply service via Ship-to Ship (STS) operations is supported by chartered tankers MY Atlantic and Nordic Ruth. With a combined storage capacity of 50,000 mt of marine fuel, Chemoil says the two tankers provide supply to sufficiently meet current demand in the US Gulf, and have the ability to undertake more voyages or increase tonnage as demand warrants.

"The operation provides for continuous supply coverage and service flexibility to very large crude carriers (VLCC) and smaller tankers in multiple locations including, but not limited to, Offshore Galveston, Texas and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP). Boasting a zero-incident record, Chemoil’s delivery service features the employment of dedicated mooring masters, qualified and experienced tanker crews and adherence to the strictest international standards and best practices of safe operations," Chemoil said.

The pioneering offshore bunker service filled a five-year gap in the market by providing customers with the economic and operational benefits of combining lightering and refueling in one location instead of making costly and time consuming deviations to refueling locations like the Caribbean. Taking bunkers from an approved offshore STS zone has also enabled ship owners to avoid paying high barging fees and making bunker only calls in US and Caribbean waters.

Adrian Tolson [pictured], Chemoil’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing commented: “Our success in the Gulf of Mexico underscores the demand of tanker operators in the US Gulf for cost efficiencies without a trade-off in the quality and standards of service; this is especially relevant given the global shipping downturn compounded by the volatility of fuel prices and charter fees. Our commitment to providing substantial tonnage capacity reflects ongoing demand for reliable and swift bunker supplies in the US Gulf offshore market.

“Our customers have come to rely on us for our extensive STS experience in this region as well as the unequivocal standard of operations synonymous with Chemoil. As the only offshore supplier in this area, we have set the benchmark for well-managed, incident-free and reliable m