Lloyds List: Oil firms move to raise Gulf of Mexico share: “AS the Gulf of Mexico bunker market expands, oil companies such as Royal Dutch/Shell are using new facilities to raise their own market share and move closer to their customers' requirements.” (ShellNews.net) 11 Feb 05
Feb 11, 2005
AS the Gulf of Mexico bunker market expands, oil companies such as Royal Dutch/Shell are using new facilities to raise their own market share and move closer to their customers' requirements.
Shell Marine Products has started up bunker operations from Mobile, Alabama this year, using a double-hulled barge, the only one available in the region for marine fuel deliveries.
The barge, which was built in 2002, is owned by Radcliff'Economy Marine and has a 10,955 barrel delivery capacity. The Anglo-Dutch oil major has used this business opportunity to expand its market position in the region and to build on its already strong position in the US Gulf coast. It already has a market presence in several ports along the US Gulf coast from Texas through Louisiana, Alabama and into Florida.
The Mobile facilities offer fuel oil, gas oil and lubricants to maritime customers from a barge. Shell Marine also has a fuel oil storage facility in Mobile Harbour, located in the Radcliff'Economy terminal.
Europe's second- largest oil firm has also secured privileged access to the only double-hulled barge in the US Gulf of Mexico, giving it a technological edge.
More than 1,000 vessels a year call at Mobile Harbour, making it one of the busiest in the region and a key place to secure future business.
The US Gulf of Mexico is a highly competitive market, which also has to compete with other Caribbean suppliers and ports.
Shell Marine is hoping these new facilities will make it highly competitive and that, because the barge it uses has a double hull, it has the edge on environmental issues.
The Gulf of Mexico is seen as one of three areas where Shell Marine has boosted its presence lately to raise its status as a leading marine fuels and lubricants supplier.
'We are delighted to be increasing our operations in Mobile and building on our recent successes of expanding in the US, Germany and Panama,' says Michiel Kool, Shell Marine Product's chief executive.
'It is also a continuation to our strategy of adding value to our customers' operations by providing them with premium products, consistent availability and supply, plus a reliable service,' he adds.
Shell Marine Products is hoping to grow on the long-term opportunities it has created in the region and by helping the local port authorities to make Mobile an important maritime centre on the US Gulf coast.