Customs authorities give go-ahead for bunkering of Elka Apollon in Ust –Luga

Russian Central Energy Customs (CEC) that was authorized to manage all issues related to replenishment of ship’s stores and supplies, has granted as an exception a permit to supply bunker fuel to Greek-flagged 101,970DWT M/V Elka Apollon (YB 2005, shipowner Lydia Investments Co. / European Product Carriers Ltd), located in the port of Ust -Luga (Leningrad region), a source at the port told PortNews.

The bunkering of the tanker is scheduled for August 31, 2013. The operation will be held at the usual bunkering location, inner anchorage No 11 of the port of Ust-Luga. The reason for such privilege was not disclosed.

Previously, on August 23, 2013 three tankers were not permitted to replenish their fuel supplies, including HANDYTANKERS MAGIC (YB 2009, 38,499dwt, the Marshall Islands flag, shipowner PALMIRA NAVIGATION INC.) and BRO SINCERO (YB 2002, 18,119dwt, Denmark flag, owner Maersk Tankers).

The problem stems from an initiative of the Central Energy Customs and an instruction of its chief to change the former bunkering location for all ships calling at the port and designate the berths of Rosneftbunker terminal as a new location. Noteworthy, the terminal operator refuses to shelter the arriving vessels saying its facilities are not yet outfitted for bunkering operations.