New bunker barge takes up duty

BUNKER BARGING in the ports is a thriving business, judging by several new entries in this field. BP Marine recently commissioned its new 46 metre bunker barge Marine Excellence at a ceremony in Cape Town, with the barge departing immediately afterwards for Durban where it will take up duty on March 1 as the country's first lubricants' bunker delivery barge.
The five-year old vessel, which is on charter from Pentow Marine, has a 530 ton carrying capacity and can serve up to eight grades of lubricant to ships.
Marine Excellence will be used at peak times to supplement the fuel barge Pentow Energy.
Another newcomer in this field is Ugumac Marine Services, which purchased the bunker barge Durban Servicer from Pentow Marine. Ugumac is a 50/50 joint venture involving a
black empowerment investment company, Uthungulu Investment Holdings, and Durban-based ship repairer International Marine and Construction (IMAC). Uthungulu chairman Musa Myeni claims that up till now there has been no real competition in the bunker barging market in Durban, especially as far as heavy fuel oil was concerned. This is all about to change, he promised.
Bunker barges make their business supplying about half a million tons of bunker fuel to ships at their various berths. Less than half the Durban berths are serviced by bunker pipelines. The total industry is worth 2.5 million tons annually.
BY TERRY HUTSON