Mon 23 Aug 2010, 07:50 GMT

ExxonMobil in Hong Kong exit speculation


Decision to lease tank storage prompts speculation that ExxonMobil may quit the Hong Kong bunker market.



ExxonMobil has leased fuel oil tank storage capacity at Tsing Yi oil terminal in Hong Kong, prompting speculation that the oil major may withdraw from the Hong Kong bunker market altogether.

ExxonMobil recently entered into an agreement with China's leading bunker supplier China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co. Ltd. (Chimbusco) to lease 280,000 cubic metres (cbm) of heavy fuel oil tanks.

Tsing Yi oil terminal has the largest fuel oil storage capacity in Hong Kong with 280,000 cbm, and an additional 220,000 cbm in light oil tank capacity.

Elsewhere in Hong Kong Sinopec (Hong Kong) has a 100,000 cbm fuel oil terminal and oil major Chevron owns 30,000 cbm of fuel oil storage.

According to industry sources, Tsing Yi oil terminal would be revamped before being delivered to Chimbusco towards the end of 2012. At present, Chimbusco rents around 60,000 cbm of tank capacity at the facility.

In terms of annual sales volumes, the Hong Kong bunker market is currently estimated to be around 5-6 million tonnes with ExxonMobil selling around 1.8 million tonnes per year.

The decision by ExxonMobil to lease its entire fuel oil storage capacity at Tsing Yi to Chimbusco has led to speculation regarding the company's future in Hong Kong.

It is thought that ExxonMobil may retain its fuel oil trading team in Hong Kong or quit the market and continue supplying fuel oil from its refineries in Asia on a free on board (FOB) basis.


Panos Mitrou and Yoshikazu Kondo. MOL wins LR technology award for wind-assisted propulsion on LNG carriers  

Lloyd’s Register honours Mitsui O.S.K. Lines for its Wind Challenger decarbonisation work.

Echandia Core marine battery system. Echandia to supply battery system for Incat’s new 78-metre hybrid ferry  

Swedish battery maker Echandia wins first order from Australian high-speed ferry builder Incat.

Martin Vorgod, Global Risk Management. Global Risk Management posts $9.4m pre-tax profit amid low-volatility energy markets  

Danish hedging firm grows client base and broadens product range despite subdued market conditions.

Lloyd's Register grants approval for BeHydro hydrogen engine. Lloyd’s Register grants first type approval for 100% hydrogen marine engine  

BeHydro’s spark-ignited engine, tested in Ghent, operates entirely on hydrogen without pilot fuel.

Truck-to-ship (TTS) LNG bunkering at Port of Palermo. Molgas completes first LNG bunkering operation at Palermo  

Spanish energy firm carries out maiden LNG delivery at Sicilian port.

Maersk 5,900-teu vessel. Tsuneishi China delivers third methanol dual-fuel boxship in series  

Zhoushan shipbuilder hands over another 5,900-teu Maersk container vessel.

Type approval test (TAT) for ME-LGIA ammonia engine. Everllence completes type approval test for ammonia engine ahead of sea trials  

Eight classification societies oversee testing of ME-LGIA ammonia engine at Copenhagen research centre.

Zhong Ran 23 vessel. CPN bunker barge becomes first vessel listed under Hong Kong’s new quality bunkering scheme  

Zhong Ran 23 achieves listing under the Marine Department’s voluntary mass flow metering initiative.

Peder Moller, Bunker Holding. Bunker Holding posts $73m pre-tax profit amid geopolitical headwinds and board overhaul  

Marine fuels exceeds its own expectations despite 4% revenue decline.

Oilmar Board of Directors graphic. Oilmar formalises governance structure with establishment of board of directors  

Dubai-based marine fuels trader Oilmar appoints three-member board.