Fujairah has set in motion several plans to enhance its status as a key global bunkering centre, Dr. Salem Abdo Khalil, technical advisor to the Fujairah government, said yesterday.
Addressing Fujcon 2000, the first international Fujairah Bunkering and Fuel Oil Forum, he said ports and oil jetties would be expanded shortly to handle the increased movement of crude and refined products to and from Fujairah Oil Refining Co and other oil terminals in the emirate.
More storage and blending operations are also likely, he said.
"Vopak Enoc Fujairah Terminal, which increased its storage capacity to over 720,000 cubic metres from 510,000 cubic metres in less than two years of launching operations, now plans to add six more tanks to increase capacity by another 200,000 cubic metres," he said.
Emirate Terminal is also considering building 10 more tanks with a total capacity of 170,000 cubic metres.
Fujairah Refinery will see expansion of its refining capacity and storage tanks, and an addition to the product line-up through the addition of a caustic treatment unit, kerosene treatment, vacuum towers, visbreakers and asphalt blowing plant.
"Moreover, two major companies have shown interest in establishing lube oil blending stations and distribution centres," he said. Four thousand tonnes of lube oil are supplied every month by companies operating from the port.