The Yemeni port of Aden resumed bunker supply operations on Friday, April 8 following a year-long suspension of activities amid a civil war that resulted in the freeze of bunker supply in March 2015.
The Russian-flagged fishing vessel Optimist, coming from Singapore, was the first ship to inaugurate the resumption of bunker supply operations at the port, the port said.
“This visit came as a result of the great efforts exerted by the port to provide all the necessary services to its customers especially after the security improvements that are witnessed by the city of Aden,” the port said.
Aden Bunkering Department, an affiliate of the Aden Refinery Company, is said to be the supplier of bunker products at the Port of Aden.
The port of Aden opened in August 2015 after being shut down for four months due to armed clashes in the country.
Yemen shut down all major ports in late March, 2015 amid bomb strikes launched by the Saudi Arabia, targeting positions of Houthi militias, a rebel force believed to be backed by Iran.
Now that the operations are being restored to normal terminal officials at the Port of Aden have revealed a new expansion plan that includes putting Ma’alla Container Terminal into operation again after more than four years of suspension.
According to the letter issued by the leadership of the Aden Ports Development Company (APDC) which was addressed to shipping agents, the management confirmed the readiness of MCT to receive container ships, after years of receiving small vessels loaded with pre-requisites of construction.
World Maritime News Staff