February 3, 2014 [The Maritime Journal] - The Geos Group, a UK based marine fuel supplier, is building a new marine fuel storage facility at the Port of Blyth’s Bates Terminal.
Construction of the three tank bases has now been completed – a significant milestone for the project because it means that construction of the tanks themselves can now get underway.
Excavation and compacting began on the site of the new terminal in the Blyth Estuary back in October 2013. 200 steel piles were then hammered 10m deep into the ground to strengthen the tanks’ foundations. For each tank base, a large circular steel frame was built, into which 55 lorry loads, or 270m3, of concrete was poured.
Building contractor Halls Construction is now continuing to work on the bund wall designed to protect the environment from accidental breaches, access roads, drainage systems and other elements of the on-site infrastructure. Isleburn, manufacturers of equipment for the energy industry, have now started building the tanks.
The Geos Group chose to build its new modern marine fuel bunkering facility at the Port of Blyth because it is strategically well positioned, has excellent deepwater facilities and ambitious expansion plans. The port is rapidly developing into a hub for the expanding offshore renewable energy and oil and gas sector and is now home to several new manufacturing and maritime enterprises.
“This construction project reaffirms our position as a growing offshore energy hub. We believe others will follow and join the cluster of organisations within the sector already established around the estuary”, said Martin Lawlor, Port of Blyth chief executive.
The project represents the first development in the Blyth Estuary Enterprise Zone and is expected to create at least 20 new jobs in the local area. It has been supported by Arch (The Northumberland Development Company) which has provided valuable regional growth funding and other assistance through their Northumberland Business Growth Programme.
The new Geos Group marine fuel terminal is expected to begin fueling operations in the second half of 2014. Initially it will provide the shipping and maritime industries on the coast of northeast England with an additional capacity of over 15m litres of fuel, with further expansion likely as the port grows and demand for marine gas oil increases.
