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A new 3.2 million barrel oil products terminal at Tangier-Mediterranean port (Tangier-Med) in Morroco, is to focus on bunkering, according to Tanger Med Port Autority (TMPA).

"The terminal is strategically located at the entrance to the Mediterranean. Some 70,000 ships cross the Gibraltar Straits each year which gives the terminal a strategic position for bunkering operations and trading," TMPA is quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.

"The terminal's main activity is onshore and offshore bunkering. The mission is to supply fuel to vessels within the port limits as well as outside it," the port authority added.

The $180-million facility will increase the country's storage capacity by approximately one third, according to recent estimates. Roughly 43 percent of the terminal's storage capcity will be dedicated to fuel oil, with 53 percent going to gasoline and diesel.

The terminal was developed under a 25-year concession from Tanger Mediterranean Special Agency (TMSA) to the joint venture company Horizon Tangiers Terminals S.A (HTTSA).

The joint venture of Horizon Terminals Limited (HTL), Dubai, Independent Petroleum Group s.a.k. (IPG), Kuwait, and Société Marocaine de Distribution des Carburants (Afriquia SMDC), Morocco, was awarded the 25-year concession to build, own, operate, and transfer (BOOT) an international petroleum storage terminal at Tangier in 2006.

In January 2009, Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. was named by HTTSA as the exclusive bunkering company for Tangier-Med. The appointment of Aegean formed part of the consortium's strategy to expand the port, which at the time was only serving around 7,000 vessels per year.

As part of the deal with HTTSA, Aegean provides retail bunkering services to ships in port on an exclusive basis for a period of 25 to 35 years. Aegean also has the right to expand its operation beyond the port perimeter, which is strategically located along the Strait of Gibraltar connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

Aegean officially commenced bunkering operations at Tangiers-Med I in August 2009, supplying all grades of marine fuel and gasoil, high and low sulphur, in accordance with ISO 8217/2005 specifications.

In November 2011, Aegean announced the commencement of bunkering operations at Fnideq Anchorage, North Morocco.

Fnideq Anchorage is situated 20 miles south of Gibraltar Eastern Anchorage, just below the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The area, approximately 2 miles from shore, is well protected by north, west and South winds with a draft varying from 30m to 100m (1 to 4 shackles). It is also a 'waiting for order' area where ships are able to anchor.

The Fnideq Anchorage coordinates are as follows:

35. 51. 7N/005.20.1W – 35. 51.7N/005.18.7W

35. 46. 4N/005.20.1W – 35. 46.4N/005.19.1W (SHOM number 7433 or English equivalent)

Commenting on the launch at the time, Aegean said: "Aegean by expanding its presence at Fnideq Anchorage can meet any requirement in the whole area including Gibraltar, Tanger Med (in port and at anchorage) and Fnideq (south of Ceuta)."