UPDATE: Second barge begins bunker ops in Ceuta port - Jose Salama & Co.

The new bunker barge was launched on Friday, shipping agent Jose Salama and Co. told ENGINE. 

PHOTO: The Spanish port of Ceuta. Getty Images

**This story has been updated to include comments from a TFG spokesperson.**

The new barge successfully completed a supply operation on Friday, the Ceuta port authority stated in a LinkedIn post. It delivered around 580 mt of VLSFO to a vessel in an operation that lasted 15 hours.

The Ceuta port authority has experienced heightened bunker demand over the last week. “In recent days, we have seen a notable increase in maritime activity, with numerous ships arriving to carry out fuel supply and provisioning operations,” the port authority said. 

Adverse weather caused bunkering disruptions in nearby ports of Gibraltar and Algeciras in the last few weeks. In Gibraltar, suppliers are still struggling to clear severe backlogs, while bunkering remains partially suspended in Algeciras, according to port agent MH Bland. This has caused additional bunker demand in Ceuta over the last week. 

Meanwhile, Ceuta's other bunker barge, the SPABunker Cuarenta has been suspended today amid strong westerly winds, Jose Salama & Co. said.

The Port of Ceuta had only one operational bunker barge, the SPABunker Cuarenta till now. The barge belongs to the Spanish bunker firm Vilma Oil, an active physical supplier in the Port of Ceuta over the past 18 years. Last year, the global bunker supplier, TFG Marine acquired Vilma Oil to consolidate its presence in the West Mediterranean Sea.

Vilma Oil Med, a joint venture between TFG Marine and Vilma Oil, has time-chartered the new barge, Vemaharmony. The Vemaharmony will be the second barge operated by Vilma Oil Med alongside Spabunker Cuarenta.

"Together, the two barges will double the Group’s regional capacity, enabling us to offer both conventional marine fuels and biofuels of up to B24," a TFG spokesperson told ENGINE.

By Manjula Nair

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