Events and photos up on August Energy Facebook group

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, July 31, Friday) --- August Energy's Facebook group now has a complete list of its recent training courses posted for viewing. Dates for the coming fuel storage and bunker courses have been indicated as well.

Topics and speakers' details are listed on the Discussion Board, and a list of participating companies, organisations and government agencies has also been included.

Photos of speakers and delegates from each of the courses are posted too.

Check them out and share your feedback and comments with us!

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CHINA: CNPC provides update on refinery projects in Costa Rica, Algeria

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, July 30, Thursday) --- Article from EnergyAsia...

(http://www.energyasia.com/) - China’s CNPC said it has concluded separate refinery deals in Algeria and Costa Rica.

It said it has completed building a 10,000-b/d condensate splitter in eastern Algeria under an engineering and construction contract worth $385 million. The project started in 2006.

The company announced that a subsidiary, China National Petroleum Corp International, and Costa Rica National Oil Company (RECOPE) have signed a supplementary agreement to their joint venture refinery deal concluded last November.

The agreement, signed in the office of Costa Rica’s President on July 15, complements and amends issues on labour and lease pertaining to the refinery.

China’s largest oil and gas producer and supplier said the agreement has been submitted to the Costa Rican Comptroller’s Office for review. The project is CNPC’s first in Central America after the two countries forged diplomatic relations in June 2007.

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Rotary awarded contracts for work on Neste Oil’s biodiesel plant

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, July 29, Wednesday) --- Article from EnergyAsia...

(http://www.energyasia.com/) - Singapore-listed Rotary Engineering Limited said it has signed two contracts totalling S$36 million with Neste Oil Singapore Pte Ltd for work on the Finland company’s S$1.2 billion biodiesel plant in Tuas in Singapore.

The contracts for the “NExBTL” renewable diesel plant relate to electrical and instrumentation works as well as mechanical, piping, painting and steel structures works. For competitive reasons, Rotary said it would not provide a breakdown of contract values.

Rotary will be working with Technip Singapore Pte Ltd, the subsidiary of the French engineering firm appointed to manage all construction contracts on behalf of Neste Oil.

For the latest deals, Rotary will mobilise a mechanical and piping team to complete the erection of steel structures, underground piping and painting works by the next March.

Electrical and instrumentation installations are expected to start later this year and are scheduled for completion in mid-2010.

The work scope covers:

• Electrical installation works, which include grounding and lightning systeminstallation, substations installation and cables installations and connections;
• Instrument installation works such as control room installation and connection works, cable-laying and junction box erection and connection, field instrument erection and connection and telecommunication system erection.

This is Rotary’s second contract award from Neste. Last September, it secured a S$38 million engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build 11 storage tanks for the same plant. Neste Oil is a leading oil refining and marketing company focused on producing lower-emission, high-quality clean fuels.

When completed next year, Neste Oil’s 800,000-tonne-per-year plant will be the word’s largest facility producing diesel fuel from renewable feedstocks. The plant will use Neste’s proprietary NExBTL technology to produce a premium-quality renewable diesel fuel.

Chia Kim Piow, Rotary’s chairman and managing director said:“It is always a pleasure when a client returns with repeat business. My team and I are encouraged by the client’s support and confidence. It spurs us on to work harder and do better in order to deliver a final product that will exceed expectations.”

Rotary’s other eco-friendly ventures include its 2006 joint-venture with Italy’s Sofinter SpA Group in Itro Pte Ltd to build, operate and jointly-own an isotherm plant that treats hydrocarbon industrial waste products to generate steam energy to support the needs of process plants. Rotary also built a biodiesel storage facility for Nexsol (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

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Naval Architect & Marine Engineer Kamal Hossain

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, July 28, Tuesday) ---

Kamal Hossain, graduated from the Singapore Polytechnic (marine engineering) and went on to graduate in 2009 with a Bachelor Engineering degree with honours in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering from the Universities of Glasgow & Strathclyde.

He is looking for a job in our marine industry.

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5200ps Voith Water Tractor TUG for sale

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, July 23, Thursday)

5200ps Voith Water Tractor TUG, M/V HAN GANG 108 (Built Nov, 2007, China),
USD 7,700,000
Length overall: 29.5m
Beam overall: 11.2m
Depth: 4.2 m
Max. Draught: 5.3 m
Gross tonnage: 355 t
Main Engine：2×Yanmar 6EY26
Total Power： 2 × 1920kW
Propulsion： 2 × Voith 28R5/210-2
Combi Winch：2 × Karmoy M361322B
Towing Winch： Karmoy M361586

More information and photo of the equipment available upon request.

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IBIA intervenes at IMO to prevent ban on blending afloat

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, July 22, Wednesday) --- IBIA press release...

(Merlin Communications) - The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has intervened at the International Maritime Organisation to amend a controversial proposal to ban the blending of oil cargoes on board ships.

At the 59th session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in London from July 13-17, there was strong support for a proposal that would have prohibited any onboard in-tank blending while ships are ‘at sea’. Such a ban would have had a potentially devastating effect on the routine, legitimate operations of many bunker suppliers, but a timely intervention by IBIA delegate and board member Trevor Harrison helped swing the MEPC narrowly in favour of an alternative wording.

Trevor Harrison explains, “Following IBIA's intervention, the proposal has been changed to include the wording ‘during the sea voyage’, rather than ‘at sea’. This means that, although blending whilst under way will be outlawed, the long-established practice of blending whilst moored or alongside a stationary receiving vessel will be allowed to continue.”

IBIA routinely monitors developments at IMO and, where appropriate, submits papers to various IMO committees on matters of concern to the bunkering industry. IBIA's delegates also attend relevant IMO committees and working groups, participating and intervening wherever appropriate.


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IBIA says bunker delivery receipts must show true sulphur content

(http://www.august.energy.biz/, July 17, Friday) --- IBIA press release...

(Merlin Communications) - The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has warned its members of the dangers arising from the failure on the part of some suppliers to put authentic sulphur content results on Bunker Delivery Receipts.

IBIA chief executive Ian Adams says, “Clearly this is not in compliance with MARPOL requirements and may create a problem for shipowners in terms of the selection of correct feed rates and Total Base Numbers (TBN) of cylinder oil.

“Knowing the sulphur content of the fuel to be used is essential to engine efficiency and overall safety, and furthermore necessary to remain within the specific requirements applicable in Emissions Control Areas (ECAs). The sulphur content of the fuel should always be clearly stated on the BDR.”

IBIA emphasises that the ship’s chief engineer should be vigilant in studying the BDR sulphur result and then using the appropriate cylinder oil feed rate and TBN oil. “Engine manufacturer information should be obtained on this, and followed carefully to avoid engine problems when using low-sulphur fuel,” says Adams.

“Of course, in some ports, low-sulphur fuel is delivered even when it has not been specifically requested, because low-sulphur is the only type of fuel available in those places. Given the way in which fuel is traded, this can happen almost anywhere. For example, some ports in South America, West Africa and, in some instances, Canada, only have residual fuels with sulphur content of less than 1.0%m/m readily available.

“It is worth noting that if a BDR has the sulphur reported as less than 4.5%m/m and yet the sulphur content is known to be less than 1.5%m/m, some administrations may still not consider this fuel compliant for ECA operations, so it is essential for ships to ensure that the actual sulphur content is reported on the BDR.”

IBIA

Founded in 1993, IBIA is the trade association of the global bunker industry. Its membership is drawn from bunker buyers, traders, brokers, suppliers and service companies worldwide. IBIA is dedicated to promoting quality and professionalism in international bunkering, and is engaged in a series of long-term initiatives designed to raise standards in the industry.


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CE required immediately to do one voyage

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, July 13, Monday) --- Aegean Bunkering requires a Chief Engineer immediately to do one voyage from Singapore to Belawan (Indonesia) and back to Singapore.

CE with 1st Class COC, with Liberia license will be an added advantage. Main Engine experience on MAN B&W 6L67GFCA, 18000 dwt Oil Tanker is preferred.

Contact: Peter Phua
Email: tech.sing@ampni.com
Mobile: +65 9622 2302


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Sri Lanka ship fuel suppliers target passing vessels

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, July 13, Monday) --- From Lanka Business Online...

(LBO) - Sri Lankan ship fuel suppliers in Colombo port are aiming to expand their market by selling bunkers to vessels passing the island, after the break-up of a monopoly lowered prices and boosted volumes, officials said.

Right now, the suppliers cater mainly to ships calling at Colombo to either load or discharge cargo.

But a large number of vessels pass by the island, which is on the main trade route across the Indian Ocean, which present a potential market, bunker industry officials said.

Recently, two big suppliers, Lanka Indian Oil Corp., the Sri Lankan unit of Indian Oil Corporation, and Lanka Maritime Services, acquired more tanker vessels to supply fuel.

Lanka Maritime Services, part of the Sri Lanka Shipping group, bought an 8,800 DWT double-hull tanker to supplement its existing fleet of smaller vessels.

And Lanka IOC has just chartered a 1,800 metric tonne tanker barge.

Both companies say business is growing after the market was opened up by a court order that ended an effective monopoly held by the dominant player.

LIOC managing director Suresh Kumar said Colombo is well-placed on the main shipping routes to become a point for refueling ships.

The present bunker business caters mainly to feeder vessels that take transshipment cargo between Colombo and Indian ports.

The mainline vessels on the long-haul trade routes hardly take bunkers in Colombo, nor do many of the ships that bypass the island.

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TANKERS: Consultant predicts “years in the doldrums”

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, July 10, Friday) --- Rising oil prices will not help the tanker sector, according to the latest Tanker Forecaster from UK-based Drewry Shipping Consultants.

“The economic turbulence and the subsequent impact on oil prices have dealt a double blow for this sector,” said the editor of the quarterly report, Parul Bhambri.

“Oil demand has fallen for a fifth consecutive quarter. Job losses and mounting credit woes mean that people are travelling less and trying to cut their energy bills. And while low oil prices have failed to stimulate significant extra demand, they have persuaded oil companies to delay projects, while a few have scrapped expansion projects altogether.”

According to the International Energy Agency, upstream investments in the oil industry could be reduced by 15-20% in 2009, which would lead mature field output to decline by a sharper 9.4%.

So in addition to deferred expansion plans, current output would also decline at a higher rate than previously envisaged. This could spell trouble for the global economy when demand picks up again.

OPEC is nervous about cutting output again because there is the potential to push oil prices above $100 and towards $150/bbl, killing global economic recovery.

“So it is easier to understand why we have taken a pessimistic stance on tanker freight markets through 2010 and until mid-2011,” said Ms Bhambri.

However, there are reasons to be less pessimistic in the medium term, she believes.

“While the supply-demand equation points to an even larger gap in 2012, we do believe that the tanker market will gradually fall into line with the cyclical trend and rates could be bolstered as sentiments become firmer. Also, a protracted weakness through 2009 and 2010 could persuade owners of single-hull vessels to scrap rather than put them through special survey, despite exemptions granted by a number of Asian countries.”

According to Drewry, lower volumes of oil for transport and deferred refinery expansion plans will also delay the growth in tanker tonne-mile demand. In other words, the very basis for the spurt in tanker ordering over the last few quarters is going to be challenged with limited employment options for the new tankers that will be delivered over the next two or three years.

According to the Drewry report, owners ordered 114 VLCCs in 2008, at an average annual price of $153 million. These vessels will need to earn $67,500 per day for 25 years to give the 10% return on investment that constitutes ‘normal profit’.

And if tightening safety regulations mandate scrapping after 20 years, that breakeven figure rises to $75,000 per day. In March, average VLCC earnings were $29,233 per day.

In line with the latest growth projections by the IMF, the IEA has revised global oil demand for 2009 down by a whopping 1.0 million b/d from its earlier estimate to 83.4 million b/d (down 2.4 million bpd y-o-y). Lower-than-expected economic projections for the OECD will pull down oil demand to as low as 45.2 million b/d (down 2.4 million b/d on yearly basis).

However, oil demand from the non-OECD region is estimated to average around 38.3 million b/d, remaining roughly flat with respect to 2008.

World consumption should remain subdued largely in view of weak economic activity, with non-OECD now expected to follow the footsteps of OECD nations as they feel the pinch of slowdown.

Plummeting vehicle-miles travelled, decreasing refinery runs and weakening utility demand have marred OECD demand. In spite of colder weather in the Northern Hemisphere, falling natural gas prices limited any significant recovery in crude demand.

While current supply cuts from OPEC members will start to clear onshore stocks sometime in the near future, significantly large volumes of offshore stores can discourage any meaningful rise in demand. At the same time, deferred as well as cancelled projects could delay arrival of new barrels in the market, which could fuel a grave demand-supply imbalance in the longer term.

Drewry expects the tanker fleet to grow modestly in 2Q-3Q09, as rising demolitions partially offset deliveries. But for the rest of 2009 and 2010, the average quarterly growth rate is projected to return to a level of about 2% on the back of surging new deliveries.

The tanker fleet is anticipated to expand at the fastest pace through 2010-11, rising by an average 8.6% a year in that period. Thereafter, the annual growth is expected to fall back to around 3% in 2012, because Drewry expects the freight markets to be so weak through 2009-10 that few owners would order tonnage for 2012 delivery.

In 2014, the fleet size is expected to remain largely unchanged with deliveries seemingly balanced by an increased outflow of tonnage for scrapping as the final Marpol deadline (in 2015) approaches.

“Drewry Tanker Forecaster” is published four times a year by Drewry Shipping Consultants Ltd.

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Aeromic Shipping needs superintendents

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, July 8, Wednesday) --- Aeromic Shipping owns a fleet of six Asphalt tankers and three oil tankers, and they are expanding through the buying and building of new vessels.

They now need the following personnel to support their current fleet and expansion:
technical officer/superintendent
marine officer/superintendent

Technical officer / superintendent:
Minimum COC class 2 motor.
Sailing experience onboard tanker would be advantageous.
Able to liaise in mandarin and bahasa indonesia with chinese/indonesian clients.
Strong knowledge in trouble shooting and repairs/maintenance of shipboard main engines and machineries.
Strong knowledge of tankers terminal vetting, flag admin and class requirements.
Monitor and ensure that all vessels comply with the flag/class/terminal requirements.
Willing to travel at short notices and sail onboard if required.
Experience in new building projects in China would be advantageous.
Possess class 3 driving license and own vehicle preferred.

Marine officer / superintendent:
Minimum COC class 2 navigation.
Sailing experience onboard F G tankers as chief or 2nd officer.
Able to liaise in mandarin and bahasa indonesia with chinese/indonesian clients.
Strong knowledge of tankers terminal vetting, flag admin and class requirements.
Familiar with STCW manning matters and able to handle indonesian crew management.
Monitor and ensure that all vessels comply with the flag/class/terminal requirements.
Willing to travel at short notices and sail onboard if required.
Possess class 3 driving license and own vehicle preferred.

Contact: Sam Lim
Email: hh.lim@hinhingroup.com


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Materials Engineering graduate Arjun Pandey

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, July 8, Wednesday) --- Full resume available for Arjun Pandey...

NTU Graduate 2009: Materials Engineering

Professional Internship: NatSteel Holdings (subsidiary of TataSteel Ltd)

Work Experience: Infotech Business Systems

Courses Taken:
Bunkering Principles, Management & Operations (by AugustEnergy)
Trading Workshop (by Online Trading Acadamy)

"In addition, I also have a proven track record of good work ethics and am willing to go the extra mile to deliver high quality results. I have good computer literacy and am capable of working long hours with committment and am willing to travel or be relocated. Please feel free to revert if you require any further information."

Contact Email: arjun@live.com.sg

Contact Numbers:
+65 6793 3526
+65 9004 1532


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IMC needs a GM

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, July 3, Friday) --- Posted today...

Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 9:47 PM

One of IMC subsidiary companies is looking for a general manager to be stationed in Kalimantan to manage a fleet of tugs and barges and floating loading facility barges.

Requirements
Age: late 30s to mid 40s,
Language: able to speak malay or indonesian

Interested please send CV to:
Mr Cheng Wen Laing
Email: chengwenlaing@imccorp.com

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Maldives invites traders to help take on Sri Lanka bunker market

(http://www.augustenergy.biz/, July 3, Friday) --- With permission from Platts...

Singapore (Platts)--25Jun2009/705 am EDT/1105 GMT

The Maldives is determined to build a bunker fuel supply business that will undercut the bunkering business in rival Sri Lanka, and wants a major trader to help it start up, a top official with Maldives National Oil Co. said in Singapore on Thursday.

Ahmed Muneez, a director of both MNOC and the Maldives' giant State Trading Organization, said his country was determined to grab a slice of the bunker business passing by its window.

More than 1,200 ships call at major harbors in the Maldives during international voyages, which could translate into demand for 7,000-10,000 mt/month of bunker fuel if they can be coaxed into refueling while in the tropical resort.

That would be about one-third the size of the Sri Lankan bunker fuel market, where more than 30,000 mt of bunker fuel is supplied to passing ships at the port of Colombo every month.

Muneez said the first step to building a bunker business would be to charter or buy floating storage to hold fuel oil. For now, the country doesn't import fuel oil, a big obstacle to setting up a bunker business.

"Fuel oil bunker is not available for delivery because the Maldives does not yet import fuel oil," said Muneez, who was speaking at a bunker fuel conference organized in Singapore by August Energy.

"We're calling for an experienced partner to help us set up floating storage," said Muneez, who added that the company would be talking to some potential partners in Singapore this week. "What we really need is an experienced partner," he added.

The company was hoping to start talks with potential partners in Singapore this week. It also hoped that plans by MNOC to build a $150 million, 6 million cubic meter onshore oil terminal on one of its islands will spur trade.

About 75% of the storage available would be dedicated to storing crude oil for international companies, while the rest would be made available for refined products.

TAKES AIM AT SRI LANKA BUNKER BUSINESS

Muneez said the Maldives was not content to watch Sri Lanka -- a giant island nation that lies offshore India's southeastern tip -- take so much of the bunker business from ships sailing around India.

"The business logic is to compete with Colombo harbor," said the official. "Our opinion is that there is room to undercut Sri Lanka and still invest."

He estimated that Colombo bunker prices were typically 6%-8% higher on any given day than prices in Singapore, the world's biggest bunker fuel market, where more than 70 suppliers compete for share of a market where almost 3 million mt of fuel is supplied to ships every month.

The Maldives, like Sri Lanka, would expect to import fuel oil from suppliers at the Indian port of Cochin to jump start its bunker fuel business.

The Maldives is a scattering of more than 1,200 islands grouped off India's southwestern tip, opposite Sri Lanka.

The country already imports around 250,000 mt/year of gasoil for use as marine fuel for the hundreds of ships that ferry people and goods between the 300,000 people who live on its atolls. It imports about 35,000 mt/year of gasoline -- boats far outnumber cars in the nation -- and brings in relatively small quantities of A-1 jet fuel for use at its airports.

The Maldives government set up a new oil supply company, Fuel Supplies Maldives, in 2000 to carry out the oil supply business around the area. FSM is 99% owned by STO, and 1% owned by MNOC.

BIG PROBLEMS FACING MALDIVES

But even as the Maldives tries to mark itself a place on the world's bunkering map, it has long-term concerns about keeping its place on the world map.

The country is officially the lowest in the world, with an average land level of 1.5 meters above sea level, and a maximum height of only 2.3 meters above sea level. At such low levels the Maldives is worried about being completely flooded within 50 years, due to global warming.

On Thursday, at the same time Muneez was announcing plans to build a bunkering business nestled among the Maldives' scenic atolls, Ahmed Naseem, the Maldives' foreign affairs minister, told a Global Humanitarian Forum meeting in Geneva that the Maldives might be "forfeiting its very right to exist" within a generation, according to the online edition of one local Maldives newspaper.

In November last year, Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed said his government was looking into buying land in India, Sri Lanka and Australia to help the 300,000 or more people living in the Maldives to relocate in case the country is left under water by rising seas.

Muneez was optimistic that the bunker concept would catch on, despite the big challenges of starting it from scratch, in a nation whose own short-term future is uncertain.

"Even though the bunker business is relatively small, we see tremendous potential," said Muneez. "If it is handled the right way." -- Dave Ernsberger, dave_ernsberger@platts.com

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