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Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) has confirmed that, for the second consecutive year, it has recorded an increase in both the number of vessels calling at Gibraltar for bunkers and in the quantity of fuel delivered.

Without going into specifics about actual volumes sold or vessel calls made, Gibraltar Port Authority told Bunker Index on Tuesday: "We can confirm that bunker calls increased by 2.67% in 2016 and bunker volumes were up by just under 2%."

"We do not publish specific data on volumes," the port added.

As well as seeing a rise in the total number of vessel calls, the GPA highlighted the fact that an increasing number of superyachts had also taken advantage of the new berths at the recently commissioned Mid Harbour Marina.

Gibraltar also recorded a rise in ship-to-ship transfers, off-port-limit transfers and occupancy rates at the Eastern Anchorage.

Annual sales in Gibraltar are estimated at around 4.5 to 5 million tonnes, whilst the nearby port of Algerias is selling roughly 2.9 to 3.0 million tonnes per year.

Commenting on the rise in bunker sales and vessel calls, Minister for Maritime Affairs, Gilbert Licudi, said: "This is great news for Gibraltar, particularly against the backdrop of a challenging year for global shipping. The positive trends reflect the outstanding work of the GPA to further improve efficiency in the harbour, and to relentlessly pursue its marketing and engagement strategy. It is also testament to the solid partnership across the wider port community in Gibraltar, and to the invaluable drive and support of the shipping agents, bunker suppliers and other service providers."

Bob Sanguinetti, CEO and Captain of the Port of Gibraltar, remarked: "It is very pleasing to reinforce our status as a premier maritime hub in the Mediterranean with such positive annual results. I look forward to continuing to work very closely with our valued partners across the shipping community to ensure that the positive trend of these past two successful years endures into the future."