Peninsula boosts bunker biz in Middle East, gears up for LNG

In Singapore, Reuters reports global marine fuel supplier Peninsula is expanding its operations in the Middle East, increasing its presence in conventional bunker fuel markets while also preparing to ramp up the supply of alternative fuels globally. At the Singapore International Bunkering Conference, Kenny MacLean, Peninsula’s chief operating officer, announced the company’s new supply operations in Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali, complementing its existing base in Fujairah. Peninsula has secured bunker licenses for both ports, adding to its global footprint of over 500 ports.

MacLean noted a shift in shipping patterns due to the Red Sea crisis, with ships rerouting around South Africa, resulting in increased demand for bunker fuels in Mauritius, Las Palmas, and Western Mediterranean ports like Gibraltar and Algeciras. He indicated this re-routing is becoming the “new normal” for shipping traffic.

As part of industry efforts to cut emissions, Peninsula is focusing on expanding its supply of alternative fuels, including LNG. Its LNG bunkering vessel Levante LNG operates in the Western Mediterranean, with services extending to Southeast Asia and key European ports such as Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. MacLean also highlighted a growing demand for marine biofuel, particularly in the EU, following stricter emissions regulations, with plans to invest in methanol and ammonia bunkering for future use.

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