Marine fuels supplier arranged bunker delivery to USS Taylor in Batumi port

Batpetrol Ltd., a Batumi, Georgia based marine fuels supplier has arranged bunker delivery to Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Taylor (FFG-50) in Batumi port, Republic of Georgia. US contractor was Clipper Oil, San Diego, a Marine Supply & Services' specialist said.

"Generally, physical bunker supply by tankers is not available in Georgian ports since beginning of 2013. Vessels arriving to Georgian ports are supplied with MGO (Marine Gasoil) by tank trucks, while IFO (Fuel oil) delivery still does not exist", says Jaba Tarimanashvili, Commercial Director of A&T Energy Georgia LLC.

There are about 2500 port calls annually in Georgia. Batumi and Poti are two main ports, and two oil terminals: Supsa and Kulevi. In the nearest future Georgian government plans to develop the 5th port in Anaklia. Port development is already in progress, and few investors, including US companies participate in the port construction feasibility study and design. Anaklia is naturally deep sea port and will be able to handle Panamax size bulkers, to transship large shipment lots to and from Caucasus, Caspian sea and Central Asia. Market capacity for Bunker sales business in Georgia is estimated as 200 000 tons of Fuel oil and 30 000 tons of Gasoil per year. Additional volumes can be attracted during winter time as Bunkers only call, due to Georgian ports are ice free all year round, while some Russian and Ukrainian ports are freezing during winter.

As for Bunkering business in Georgia, for the moment only MGO (Marine Gasoil) can be delivered by tank trucks alongside berth. Main source of MGO delivery by trucks is local fuel stations. Quality of product complies ISO 8217:2010 Marine Distillate Fuels, DMA standard and EU directive for max 0.10% sulphur content.