OREANDA-NEWS. According to data of PortNews IAA, the port of St. Petersburg, the largest player at Russia’s bunkering market, sold some 1.3 million tonnes of light and dark bunker in January-August 2007. The BOD of the Association discussed the industry’s activities, press release of RosMorRechBunker reads.

In August, sales of bunker fuel exceeded 200,000 tonnes in the port of St. Petersburg. In the same period, average monthly sales of the port of Hamburg amounted to 140,000 tonnes, port of Tallinn - 20,000 tonnes, Klaipeda - some 6,000 tonnes.

According to Vitali Kovalev, President of Russian Association of Marine and River Bunker Suppliers, “the growth rates of the bunkering market are spectacular. Earlier, annual growth of bunker sales in the port of St. Petersburg never exceeded 10% per year while in the first half of this year the market grew by 20%. Bunkering of vessels is an important element of port services in any country of the world. The popularity and attractiveness of Russian ports is growing as the quality of bunkering services rises.  Development of our industry depends directly on bunkering companies themselves. That is why it is impossible to overstress the importance of the activities carried out by the Association in order to create optimal conditions for work at the bunkering market, clear legal framework meeting current situation, fair competition, equitable settlement of disputes and efficient protection of the members’ interests.”

Association of Marine and River Bunker Suppliers (RosMorRechBunker) was founded on the 23rd June 2005. Currently it comprises 25 member-companies, specialized on marine and river vessels fuel supply and represents all regions of Russian Federation. The major aim of Association is to unite the participants of the bunker industry, to assist the constant dialogue of the industry and relevant governmental bodies, to provide “fair play” environment in the industry. The Association is able to solve the most vital industry problems, including those concerning the image of the Russian ports.

The most attention is paid to the cooperation with the representatives of the federal and regional governmental bodies for adjustment of fuel transportation activities. Furthermore, the Association must make contribution to the ecological safety of the port cities, the problem is familiar to all fuel transshipment terminals and mostly to Saint-Petersburg.