---

Ecuador's Oceanbat S.A. has revealed that its bunker tanker Maria del Carmen VI is due to arrive in Ecuador on Sunday 31st July.

The 12-year old vessel, which is scheduled to arrive back in Ecuador after transporting Naftha to Hong Kong airport, is expected to commence bunkering operations by mid-August and will provide an additional 5,000 metric tonnes of fuel oil storage capacity.

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

The company's bunkering fleet will be made up of the following vessels:

B/T Maria del Carmen, 2,810 dwt, 2,500-tonne capacity.

B/T Maria del Carmen II, 5,000 dwt, 4,500-tonne capacity.

B/T Maria del Carmen IV, 7,000 dwt, 7,500-tonne capacity.

B/T Maria del Carmen VI, 7,000 dwt, 5,000-tonne capacity.

In addition to the tankers listed above, the company also utilizes the L/C El Talisman to carry out deliveries at Guayaquil. The vessel has a total marine gas oil (MGO) capacity of 15,000 gallons.

Oceanbat's other tanker, the 7000 dwt M/T Maria del Carmen III, is currently on time charter with Petroecuador.

[Image: Maria del Carmen IV]