- Qingdao Shihua performed the first bonded bunkering operation on a foreign vessel, making it a first for the port.
- The company conducted market feasibility research with port officials to explore the potential of tapping into bunkering services for large vessels.
- Compared to previous services available, ships can now be bunkered while loading and unloading cargo in the port saving hours of waiting time.
Qingdao Shihua Crude Oil Terminal Co Ltd (Qingdao Shihua) performed the first bonded bunkering operation on a foreign vessel, reports Manifold Times.
This expansion, on 4 November, into bonded bunkering services for large vessels within the port becomes a first for the company and the port.
Bunkering of crude oil tanker
DHT Sundarbans, a 314,249-dwt crude oil tanker, berthed at Qingdao port was bunkered by Tongyu 11 under the supervision of customs officials, maritime border inspectors and various other port supervision departments to enforce health and safety procedures.
Compared to previous services available, ships can now be bunkered while loading and unloading cargo in the port saving shipowners more than 10 hours of waiting time and further reducing fuel costs incurred during the delay.
Potential of bonded bunkering
Being one of China’s largest crude oil trading and distribution centers, Qingdao Port’s oil product throughput reportedly exceeded 100 million tonnes for four consecutive years.
According to Qingdao Shihua, for every six tonnes of crude oil imported across the country, one tonne comes ashore from Qingdao Port in Shandong province.
Based on this information, Qingdao Shihua conducted market feasibility research with port officials to explore the potential of tapping into bunkering services for large vessels.
Northern Marine Fuel Supply Base
The company said it has since collaborated with various port departments and bunker supply companies, establishing various operating procedures, including practices for epidemic prevention, safe operations, pollution prevention, emergency responses, and so on.
Moving forward, Qingdao Shihua added it aims to develop Qingdao Port into a “Northern Marine Fuel Supply Base” radiating through Northeast Asia by accelerating the construction of an international bunker fuel trade financial center and increasing the competitiveness of the port.
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Source: Manifold Times
