industry World? The Strait of Gibraltar is one of the key crossroads or “choke points” in the world of international shipping. It is a strategic position for ship owners and their ships seeking to take on fuel before heading to their next destination. As further evidence of this fact, ship owners also take advantage of our location to have their ships drifting or anchoring nearby while awaiting orders for their next port of call. The other crossroads in the world are the Malacca Straits, Suez Canal (still have to pass through Gibraltar) and Panama Canal (limited vessel-sizes). In 2009, Gibraltar’s bunker operators provided over 4.7 million tons of fuel (bunkers). This was a substantial increase from 2008 and a remarkable figure considering just 0.84 million tons were delivered in 1990. So who are these bunker operators and how does the bunkering system work here in Gibraltar?
small car attached to the Mother Ships for these STS deliveries. Smaller, bunker company owned/operated bunker barges then come alongside their respective Mother Ship to load different types of fuels. These bunker barges are much smaller, typically 4-8,000 tons, more maneuverable and fitted with onboard metering and delivery systems to deliver the exact quantity and quality of fuel to a customer. The customers/ships pre-order the type and amount of fuel required well in advance via a local shipping agent. Once they arrive off the port and, dependent upon weather and port activity, the ships enter the port under the guidance of a local Pilot and anchor in the bay. The bunker barge, which is fitted with smaller, pneumatic fenders, then moors alongside the customer’s ship, delivers the fuel and then completes all quantitative and qualitative measurements. The customer’s ship normally heads for her next port with the necessary fuel on board and the bunker Who Are The Bunker Operators? There are four large bunkering companies in barge heads to the next customer or back to the Gibraltar (in no particular order); Aegean Bun- Mother Ship for a re-fill. kering (Gibraltar) Ltd. (BGL), VemaOil, Bunkers How Safe Is Bunkering? (Gibraltar) Ltd. and Cepsa (Gibraltar) Ltd. All of these bunker barges and Mother Ships Three of the bunkering companies; Aegean, Vema and BGL operate “Mother Ships” (ap- are double-hulled and meet the requirements proximately 70,000 ton tankers) in the bay, set forth by the GPA, which inspects and moninamely; Leader for Aegean, Europa Venture for tors their operation. They also must meet Flag BGL and Vema Baltic for Vema. These vessels State (country where the vessel is registered) and remain permanently moored in the bay. How- Classification Society (independent standards) ever, they will move out as a safety precaution requirements. You may be interested to learn that Gibraltar is during inclement weather. Cepsa (Gibraltar) Ltd. is jointly owned by a “Flag State” and many vessels in this trade and Cepsa and Gibunco Holdings. All of their fuels others (containerships, freighters, tankers, etc.) are provided by the Cepsa refinery and, as such, elsewhere in the world are registered under the they have no need of a Mother Ship. The refin- Gibraltar Flag. These vessels are monitored and inspected by the Gibraltar Maritime Administraery is, effectively, their Mother Ship. tion (GMA) on an ongoing and frequent basis. The GPA is installing a sophisticated Vessel TrafHow Does Bunkering Work? The three Mother Ships are supplied with fic System (VTS) to better monitor and manage various types of fuels, as discussed above, port movements and operations. A Bunkering based upon their bunker sales/throughput. The Code of Practice was introduced in 2002 and a bunker company purchases large lots of fuel In 2009, Gibraltar’s bunker elsewhere in the world and brings these larger fuel parcels to their respective Mother Ship on operators provided over 4.7 other chartered (leased) tankers. These deliveries are made via a Ship-To-Ship million tons of fuel (bunkers). (STS) transfer that is conducted in accordance This was a substantial increase with internationally recognised safety standards and monitored closely by the Gibraltar Port from 2008 and a remarkable Authority (GPA), as are all activities associated figure considering 0.84 million with bunkering and port movements. You may notice the large, pneumatic fenders the size of a tons were delivered in 1990
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010
Bunkering Superintendent appointed to police all bunkering and STS operations. The GPA has a counter pollution plan that was formulated in conjunction with all the relevant agencies and NGO’s within Gibraltar. The plan ensures that sufficient equipment and trained personnel are available to respond to an incident. In conjunction with this the GPA is an Associate Member of Oil Spill Response Ltd (International leader in counter pollution response) The plan is tested regularly with oil spill drills and exercises. But an oil spill is no respector of boundaries and cooperation and coordination are required between neighbouring ports. This cooperation was evident between the GPA and Algeciras during the winter of 2008 when the Fedra (Gibraltar) and Tawe (Algeciras) grounded This required with coordinated salvage and counter pollution activities using shared aerial reconnaissance and spill response teams. Local ship Pilots ensure a safe transit and anchorage position. Stack emissions are monitored for compliance with all international and EU requirements. In summary, everything is being done to ensure that bunkering is conducted safely in Gibraltar with an eye to constant improvements. How Does Bunkering Impact Gibraltar’s Economy? In addition to the direct benefits to the bunker companies, and the numerous employees employed in this industry, there are associated “knock-on” benefits to Gibraltar. A bunkering port call provides ship owners with a perfect opportunity to change crews (one to many officers and crew) and to purchase food, supplies and other services. There are several shipping agencies, with numerous staff, to handle all of these requirements. Tug boats, launch boats to/from the ships, Pilots, fendering companies and even the Cammell Laird shipyard, and their staffs, are used to service and support this industry. The GPA, GMA and Customs’ employees are employed to ensure that the port is operated safely and effectively. All of these people who work directly or indirectly in the bunkering industry pay taxes and purchase goods and services in Gibraltar, which has a positive contribution to Gibraltar’s robust and diverse economy. n Agile Marine Limited, Suite 23, Portland House, Glacis Road, Gibraltar. Tel: 56000545 Email: cthomas@agilemarine.com.
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