Mauritius port bunker opportunities
The Government of Mauritius has taken the next step in developing its largest city Port Louis into a global bunkering hub.
This will enable the capital of Mauritius to export 1m metric tonnes of bunker fuel and ultimately employ nearly 25,000 people across the marine industry.
The plans were discussed at the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) conference held in Port Louis on 13-15 October.
“Our first regional forum in the Indian Ocean region has been a great success. The government has taken the strategic decision to develop the petroleum industry as a core pillar of its economic plan,” said Peter Hall, CEO of IBIA.
“As a result it has implemented new measures to ensure a reputable, reliable high quality business-friendly environment with real opportunities.”
Around 35,000 ships pass through the waters around Mauritius each year, moving between Asia, Southern Africa and South American. Over the last few years the number of ships taking on bunker fuel in Port Louis has increased.
The volume supplied to the port rose from 269,345 metric tonnes in 2013 to 287,546 metric tonnes in 2014, an increase of nearly 6.8%.
To support this growth further the government is aiming to transform the port into a business friendly, industry leading petroleum bunkering hub. The ambitious plan means that the ports limits have been extended to provide for sites which will allow the anchorage and furtherance of petroleum based activities.
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