Tue 18 Aug 2009, 15:37 GMT

Vopak Terminal Bahamas appoints MD


Thijs Jan Huizer to be replaced by former Freeport Container Port COO.



Terminal Operator Vopak Terminal Bahamas has announced the appointment of a new Managing Director following the resignation of Thijs Jan Huizer.

Raymond L. Jones, formerly Chief Operating Officer of Freeport Container Port, Freeport Harbour and the Grand Bahama Airport Company has been chosen to replace Huizer.

Jones will join the company on September 1, 2009 and after a handover period, will formally take over the responsibilities as Managing Director on October 1, 2009.

Jones, a native of Grand Bahamian has been with the Hutchison Whampoa Companies in Freeport for the past 13 years.

He has held a number of key positions and returned to The Bahamas in late 2006 after holding the position of Projects Manager of Finance and Business Development for Hutchison Ports Management in Hong Kong and assigned to Mexico.

The Board also announced that Dick Richelle, who served as Managing Director of Vopak Oil Rotterdam, as of May 1, 2009, has been appointed Division President of Vopak North America, replacing Pieter Bakker.

He will be part of the Board and will play an active role in the management of BOR-CO/Vopak Terminal Bahamas. Richelle will report to John Paul Broeders, Chairman of the Executive Board of Royal Vopak.

"We are extremely pleased with the additions to the management team and Board of Directors of BORCO," Tom Sikorski of First Reserve stated.

"Raymond brings a unique set of experience and skills to the Company and we look forward to his contribution. Pieter and Dick are experienced terminal managers and operators and should add depth and breadth to our Board. All three additions should continue to position BORCO to expand and grow." Bakker started his career at Vopak as Managing Director of Van Ommeren Tank Terminal Mercosur in Brazil. During his career he successfully developed the regional terminal network as Division President Latin America. Richelle worked in various management positions in Vopak where he started his career 14 years ago. He worked extensively with Bakker in Latin America and views his new assignment as a grand adventure in these interesting and exciting times.

"We are excited about the opportunities that we see at Vopak Terminal Bahamas and are committed to the development of this facility into a world class terminal," said Richelle.

Vopak Terminal Bahamas is a Joint Venture of First Reserve Corporation and Royal Vopak NV. BORCO/Vopak Terminal Bahamas is an independent storage facility with a capacity of three-million cubic metres, or 20 million barrels, with the possibility of expansion up to five million cubic metres for the storage and handling of crude oil, fuel oil and clean petroleum products from its terminal located just 80 miles of the coast of Florida, and is the largest storage terminal in the Caribbean. Its deepwater jetties can berth the largest-sized vessels. In addition, Vopak Terminal Bahamas offers blending, transshipment and bunkering services.


Skipanes vessel. E-methanol-ready ro-ro vessel delivered to Smyril Line  

190-metre vessel is built for year-round North Atlantic operations and designed for future e-methanol conversion.

Belgium flag. Sunoil Biodiesel secures approval to supply biofuels in Belgium  

Dutch biofuel supplier expands its European footprint with Belgian market entry.

Tacoma Maersk naming ceremony. Maersk takes delivery of dual-fuel methanol-capable Tacoma Maersk in China  

9,000-TEU vessel is one of six mid-sized dual-fuel ships joining Maersk's fleet.

Asuka III vessel. NYK Cruises’ Asuka III cuts annual CO₂ emissions by 1,300 tonnes through LNG fuel use  

LNG-fuelled Asuka III avoided emissions equivalent to 530 households annually, says cruise firm.

Elandra K2 naming ceremony. Naming ceremony held for first VLCC in Hanwha Shipping's new fleet  

320,000-DWT alternative-fuel-ready Elandra K2 is first of three VLCCs built at Okpo Shipyard.

Fourth 5,900-TEU methanol dual-fuel container vessel. Tsuneishi China delivers fourth methanol dual-fuel 5,900-TEU boxship  

Zhoushan yard expands portfolio of alternative-fuelled vessels with handover of Maersk container ship.

Hong Kong skyline. IBIA to host marine fuels forum during Hong Kong Maritime Week  

Event to explore the practical and commercial realities surrounding a range of alternative fuels.

Andreas Enger, Höegh Autoliners. Höegh orders six LNG-fuelled Aurora-class vessels with future-fuel provisions  

9,100-CEU ships equipped with ammonia- and methanol-ready notation and designed to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil.

Puerto Rico flag. Puma Energy confirms bunkering operations in Puerto Rico  

The development has been known to regional industry players for several weeks.

Singapore waterfront skyline. Koch Minerals & Trading seeks bunker procurement intern in Singapore  

Successful applicant to work under the mentorship of KM&T’s senior bunker procurement coordinator.