Ship bunkering service begins

A new ship bunkering service began in Orkney this week.

The provision of bunker fuel to the gas ship Clamor Schulte in Scapa Flow this week was the first operation by Simpson Oils and their tanker the Vadero Highlander under their new contract with the Orkney Harbour Authority.

Following a public tendering exercise, a two year contract was awarded to Simpson Oils last month for the provision of marine gas oil to shipping in Kirkwall harbour, Hatston and Scapa Flow.

It was anticipated that the first bunkering operation would be at Hatston, where the oil industry supply vessel Subsea Viking is a regular caller and has bunkered at the pier on previous occasions, but in the event it was Scapa Flow which provided the first opportunity.

Brian Archibald, Orkney Islands Council’s Harbour Master and Head of Marine Services, said: “We were delighted to be able to offer bunkers on demand to the Clamor Schulte, prior to the commencement of Ship to Ship (STS) operations in Scapa Flow.

“This new logistical arrangement of bunkering vessels in Orkney either alongside or at anchor demonstrates the flexibility of bunkering by tanker as opposed to a fixed pipe solution.

“We anticipate that this new service will enhance and encourage further shipping movements within our primary commercial piers and harbours.’’

• The gas ship Clamor Schulte was one of the vessels involved in the ship to ship transfer of LPG in Scapa Flow which also took place earlier this week.