New bunker vessel to meet strong 380cst demand in Jeddah

Labco, sales agents for Saudi Arabian bunker supplier Bakri International Energy Co Ltd, reports "unbelievable" demand for IFO380 since they introduced supply of this grade at the Saudi Red Sea ports of Yanbu and Jeddah in mid-Augist this year. Bakri used to supply IFO180 sourced from Saudi Aramco here like other suppliers still do, but currently offers just IFO380 because there is so much more demand for this grade compared to IFO180. In order to meet the increase in demand, Labco manager Lee Sanderson told Bunkerworld.com today that Bakri is soon to expand its bunker barge fleet with the 16,000 dwt vessel "Asma". This vessel will operate as a shuttle tanker, loading product at Bakri's terminal in Yanbu to take to Jeddah.

Bakri currently supplies Jeddah with two bunker barges, the 6,200 dwt "Al Jabal", and the 4,100 dwt "Shamms". Whenever these barges run out of product, they have to go back to Yanbu to reload. But when "Asma" arrives it will be used to reload these two barges, hence they can stay permanently in Jeddah.

Mr. Sanderson said this should significantly improve Bakri's supply capacity in Jeddah as it will make turnaround much faster and boost storage capacity. The "Asma" bunker tanker is expected to arrive within a fortnight.