February 14, 2012 [The CLH Group] - The CLH Group has brought into service the 6 new storage tanks, three new unloading arms and three new barge-loading tanks that it has built at the facility it owns and operates in the Port of Algeciras Bay in order to reinforce the bunker services (fuel supply to vessels) it provides to various oil operators.
The company has successfully carried out the first vessel unloading operation at the new berthing jetty, the process being completed as normal.
With this expansion, the CLH storage facility in Algeciras becomes the most important plant in Spain in terms of storage and movement of marine diesel and IFOs (intermediate fuel oils that are used as marine fuel) and one of the most outstanding in Europe.
CLH has invested over 23 million euros in the expansion and improvement of the Algeciras-Isla Verde facility with a view to modernising and increasing the operating efficiency of its facilities for vessel loading and unloading and for barge loading, and increasing its storage capacity.
This investment will also make it possible to improve safety and environmental protection in the service the company provides to the operators who are active in the bunkering area at this important supply point for vessels that pass through the Straits of Gibraltar.
After completion of this expansion, the Algeciras plant has 20 tanks with a storage capacity of 197,000 cubic metres and a seaport terminal that has a berthing jetty equipped with articulated arms and several barge loading/discharge points, in addition to a tank truck loading area.
The new project has included the building of six new storage tanks for IFOs with a total capacity of 130,000 cubic metres, as well as modern product heating installations, which substantially increase the capacity available up until now.
The company has also installed three new vessel loading and unloading arms at the seaport terminal, which has been refurbished by the Port Authority, and these are connected to two new lines that will make it possible for both higher performance in filling the new tanks and barge loading.
Several berthing points for operating with barges and vessels have also been upgraded in order to improve the quality of the bunker services. In addition, all the piping that connects the facility to the terminal has been replaced, and a 1,500-metre long buried gallery has been built to house five pipes that make it possible for the loading/unloading flows to be increased very significantly.
Besides this, all the installations and auxiliary buildings have been renovated and are equipped with all the necessary safety and environmental protection measures.
