Caltex Australia will enhance its large-scale marine bunkering operations in Queensland after entering into an agreement with the specialist barge operator, Korevaar Marine Group.

The long term agreement will see Korevaar's double-hulled self-propelled barge Bunker V used by Caltex to refuel a varied market of cruise ships, coastal traders and international cargo vessels on the Brisbane River.

Caltex is the current market leader in bunker fuels in Brisbane, being the principal supplier of fuel oil and diesel on the river.

Bunker V, which operates with a crew of four, is due to arrive in Brisbane in December and will replace the dumb (non-motorised) barge Riverside OFL and tug Mina Campbell which are being retired by their operator after traversing the Brisbane River for decades.

Bunker V is currently undergoing modifications to ensure it is compliant with current MARPOL legislation for the prevention of pollution at sea.

Caltex Senior Marine Adviser, Captain Phil Hickey, said the agreement would ensure safe, reliable and efficient bunkering on the Brisbane River for years to come.

"Our decision to enter into this agreement with Korevaar was due to the operator's wealth of experience in marine operations, including bunkering," Captain Hickey said.

"There is a strong focus on safety with stringent OH&S protocols adhered to and best industry practice procedures used. That includes an onboard cherry picker to enable safe access to ships for the crew and swing hoses - a design unique to Korevaar and purpose-built in Australia for Australian river conditions."

Some of Bunker V's features include:

• Steel construction with an aluminium bridge
• 50 metres in length with a beam (width) of 11 metres
• Double-bottomed and double-sided. The double-hull construction features a void of 960mm between the hull and internal cargo compartments
• Eight heavy fuel tanks with a total capacity of 1.06 million litres and two diesel tanks with a 190,000 litre capacity
• Bow thruster for manoeuvrability alongside vessels and at the wharf
• An onboard cherry picker for safe access to ships
• Heated heavy fuel oil tanks to maintain product temperature for efficient pumping
• Individual cargo pumping capabilities for heavy fuel oil and diesel
• A fully-loaded draft of three metres
• Purpose-built in Victoria for marine bunkering in 1999




Media contact:
Georgie Wells
Media Adviser
Phone 02 9250 5094
Email gwells@caltex.com.au