Adnoc Distribution has ventured into a new line of business, setting up a new bunkering facility at Abu Dhabi's Mina Zayed (Port Zayed).

The new facility was informally commissioned yesterday, thus facilitating refuelling for tankers, cargo ships and other vessels calling at the port.

The bunkering facility comprises two storage tanks, each with a capacity of 7,500 metric tonnes, two fuel stores, pipelines to distribute the fuel, pumping stations and a loading arm.

"This is built especially for business purposes because shipping traffic is high at Mina Zayed," said Khalid M. Khulaib, manager, Industrial Projects, Adnoc Distribution.

"We expect a lot of ships and vessels to make use of the facility," he added.

Two grades of bunker fuel will be supplied. They are 180 CST and 380 CST.

The tanks are connected to the loading arm at the berths by two pipelines that run parallel to each other up to a distance of 2.5 kilometres. There are a total of 16 berths.

Khulaib said the bunkering facility has one of the most advanced systems in the region for fuel pumping, ensuring safety, speed and environment protection with high technology.

"The high traffic at the port necessitates us to develop such services and also develop our marine ports. This is the first phase of the project. We plan to increase capacity in future," he said without going into details.

Abu Dhabi's non-oil trade has been on the upswing with the total touching Dh2.35 billion in May.

Imports rose to Dh2.1 billion in May compared with Dh1.7 billion in May last year. At the same time re-exports were Dh169.6 million and exports stood at Dh102.5 million.

Currently, bunkering facilities are available at Ruwais in Abu Dhabi.