OREANDA-NEWS. Gazpromneft Marine Bunker, the subsidiary of Gazprom Neft that sells bunker fuel, is the first bunkering company in the Black Sea region to obtain a permit to operate at the Sochi seaport. In June the company bunkered the AIDAaura passenger liner, managed by one of the largest cruise companies in the world, Carnival Cruise Lines link open a new window.

“Gazpromneft Marine Bunker occupies one of the leading positions in Russia's Black Sea region. It operates at all of the major ports, including Novorossiysk, Tuapse, the Caucasus, and Taman. During the first five months of 2013, the company has bunkered ship to ship over 130,000 tons of fuel, nearly twice as much as during the first five months of 2012.

“Marine cargo shipment and passenger travel at Sochi port is currently undergoing brisk development. By gaining the possibility of fueling their ships directly at the destination port, ship owners are getting an additional incentive do expand their commercial and tourist activity in the region,” said Gazpromneft Marine Bunker CEO Andrei Vasiliev. “For us, entering this new market is one of the strategic goals. Achieving this will help us strengthen our cooperation with the world's largest shipping companies.”