---

Ecuador's Oceanbat S.A. has announced that its bunker tanker Maria del Carmen IV [pictured] is to commence operations in the marine fuels market.

The introduction of the 7,000 dwt vessel will increase Oceanbat's total floating storage capacity to 19,500 metric tonnes of fuel oil.

The company's bunkering fleet is currently made up of the following vessels:

B/T Maria del Carmen – 2,500 metric tonnes

B/T Maria del Carmen II – 4,500-5,000 metric tonnes

B/T Maria del Carmen IV – 7,000 metric tonnes

L/C El Talisman – 15,000 gallons of marine gasoil (mgo) at Guayaquil only.

As from August 2010, the Maria del Carmen VI will provide an additional 5,000 metric tonnes of fuel oil storage capacity.

"With this expansion, we will be able to significantly improve our service, placing Oceanbat as your best option for bunkering in Ecuador," the company said in a statement.