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Rosneft Marine UK Ltd., a subsidiary of Russian state-owned oil company OJSC Rosneft, has introduced a new bunker delivery tanker to service the port of Murmansk, Russia.

The Russian-flagged RN Magellan is a 4622 deadweight tonne (dwt) bunker tanker built in 2007. Rosneft Marine said the new vessel was part of its ongoing strategy to replace ageing bunker tankers from the Soviet era. The company is also examining the possibility of relocating the tanker to St. Petersburg, due to what is described as its 'high-end delivery capabilities' and 'environmentally-friendly design'.

Vladimir Brezhnev, Director of Rosneft Marine UK, said: "One of our highest priorities is to ensure that our fleet complies with current industry and environmental standards and the RN Magellan is an excellent testament of this commitment."

The addition of RN Magellan to Rosneft Marine's bunker tanker fleet follows the company's announcement last month of the delivery of RN Taurus to service the Black Sea Port of Tuapse. Additional vessels are also due to be introduced in the ports of Arckhangelsk and in the Far East in the coming months.

"Demand for Russian produced high quality low sulphur fuel has been steadily growing and will only increase with more low sulphur fuel regulation being introduced around the world," Mr Brezhnev said. "We believe that the way forward is to upgrade our integrated supply chain now to meet this demand while taking the necessary steps to improve our service quality to customers," he added.

Rosneft began developing its bunkering business in late 2007 with the establishment of RN-Bunker, which has continued to record steady sales volume growth. In 2010, Rosneft sold a record 2 million metric tonnes, representing a 70 percent increase from 2009. Rosneft Marine UK was established in 2010 to support Rosneft's international marine fuel business.