First Fuel Shipment Delivered by Sea at Khalifa Port (UAE)

The anchor tenant of Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad), Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) has received its first shipment of fuel delivered by sea at its dedicated berth at the adjacent Khalifa Port.

The fuel, pumped through an EMAL pipeline to storage tanks, will be used as a back-up supply to ensure that the industrial Emirati flagship aluminium project maintains high levels of production and quality as the Al Taweelah-based smelter continues to expand. The delivery was due to a successful strategic partnership between three of Abu Dhabi’s figurehead companies: ADPC, EMAL, and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

The ship, carrying fuel supplied by ADNOC, arrived at EMAL’s dedicated berth on the same day (12 December) that the whole of Khalifa Port was inaugurated, with UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan graciously bestowing the honour on ADPC of opening the whole port in person, in front of world leaders.

ADPC’s cooperation ensured the delivery of fuel could take place by providing the required license, as originally the EMAL berth was licensed to only receive raw materials. 1.5 million gallons of fuel were pumped onshore by ADNOC and it will continue to supply oil to EMAL in the future as the companies continue their strategic partnership.

Captain Mohamed Al Shamisi, Executive Vice President, Ports’ Unit, ADPC, welcomed the EMAL initiative: “This shows how closely ADPC works with its customers to provide the very best service. We’re delighted that EMAL’s berth has been bustling since opening in late 2010. We were proud to receive this EMAL fuel ship with our brand new ADPC tugs. And we congratulate EMAL as, on the same historic day – 12.12.12 – they also exported from their berth in Khalifa Port their first shipped aluminium ingots, packed in 28 containers.”

Mr Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei, President and CEO of EMAL said: “To be able to receive alternative fuel shipments for our pipeline is an important step forward. It further strengthens EMAL’s infrastructure as we expand into one of the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelters.” Mr Al Mazrooei added: “This delivery was only possible due to the cooperation between three of the country’s biggest companies. This is a sign of the unity of purpose which exists in the UAE and helps make our country one of the best in the world in which to do business. I want to thank all those involved for making this a reality.”

The EMAL pipeline, taking oil directly from its berth to huge on-site storage tanks, was designed and built by EMAL’s Engineering Department with help of local contractors. The pipeline is over 5 kilometres in length and can pump up to 200,000 gallons of oil an hour. The storage tanks can hold up to 3.3 million gallons of fuel.

The green pipeline will also have significant safety and environmental benefits as the direct delivery by sea greatly reduces the number of road tanker journeys. The 1.5 million gallons already delivered is equivalent to around 375 individual tanker deliveries by road.

[mappress]

ADPC, December 25, 2012