Qatar Fuel "WOQOD" moves further into bunker fuel supply as
Qatar's maritime infrastructure grows
Qatar Fuel "WOQOD" in collaboration with the Lloyd's Register
Group meets global best practice requirements for bunker suppliers
as it expands further into the bunker supply business. On April 13,
2008, WOQOD completed a quality management bunker fuel supply chain
project with a view to accredit the quality management system for
the bunker supply chain after implementing and running the system
in all their bunker supply processes for two-three months.
WOQOD is a publicly listed company and has the sole concession
of marketing, distribution and storage of all petroleum products
and related services in the State of Qatar.
With the rapid growth in Qatar's maritime activities associated
with the development of shipping activities supporting LNG exports,
WOQOD identified bunker supply for gas ships as an important
support function and business opportunity. The convenience of
picking up bunkers for vessels whilst loading LNG at Ras Laffan
terminal offers a unique opportunity for operators of such vessels
to reduce voyage times and operational cost to the port of
discharge as they will be able to pick up bunkers in Qatar without
making a detour to other ports in the region to re-fuel.
WOQOD will be distributing bunkers throughout Qatar, but
particularly at Ras Laffan where WOQOD has built a dedicated bunker
supply storage facility in Ras Laffan Industrial Park capable of
delivering 4 million metric tonnes of bunker fuel annually. With
some 100 over ships forecast to call a month, with stems of up to
approximately 5000 metric tonnes for the larger ships, WOQOD is
looking at significant volumes.
Mr. Mohammed T. Al Sobai, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of
WOQOD, confirmed the importance of ensuring that his company had
quality systems in place for bunker supply activities. "Working
with Lloyd's Register FOBAS has been vital in helping assure this
critical supply chain remains free flowing. The delivery of bunkers
at specified quality levels is safety and business critical every
time. WOQOD aspires to achieve a high quality delivery of all its
business activities to all customers, external and internal
stakeholders. Ships need high quality bunkers and we want to make
certain we are doing as much as we can to achieve that goal."
WOQOD is now well on the road to helping fuel the ships that
will export the clean LNG that the world needs. Mr. Nayef Saeed
Al-Hajiri, WOQOD Quality Management Representative explained: "The
key to managing bunker supply is having a well documented process:
a process that is clear, accountable and professional providing
buyers with the confidence that they need. The current global,
bunker fuel oil demand for ships amounts to approximately 340 - 350
million metric tonnes - that's a lot of bunkers. Forecasted growth
for bunker-fuel demand is anticipated to rise by one-third between
now and 2020, placing ever increasing importance on quality
supplies and safe, efficient operations. Al-Hajiri added that:"
With the WOQOD Quality Management System for Bunker Supply Chain
(WQMBS) now in place, WOQOD can assure customers that we are able
to meet their needs for timely and safe delivery of the required
level of quality in the right place."
WOQOD chose Lloyd's Register's fuel oil bunker analysis and
advisory service (FOBAS) to help ensure that its bunkering
practices are properly managed and documented. Mr. Douglas Raitt,
Global FOBAS Manager, emphasized the importance of having
WQMBS.
End
Notes to editors
1. The Lloyd's Register Group is an independent risk management
organization that works to help to improve its clients' quality,
safety, environmental and business performance throughout the
world, because life matters. Its expertise and activities cover
railways, shipping, oil and gas, and other asset-based industries.
The Group comprises charities and non-charitable companies, with
the latter supporting the charities in their public benefit
goals.
2. Qatar Fuel "WOQOD" is a publicly listed company quoted on the
Doha Securities Market since 2002. The company is responsible for
the distribution of all fuels within Qatar. This includes diesel,
gasolines and aviation fuel through a fleet of more than 150 road
tankers. The company trades in ship - to - ship bunkering, bitumen
importation and distribution, lubricants and modern service
stations. WOQOD also distributes all LPG in Qatar.
For more information, contact
Douglas Raitt
Global FOBAS Manager
Lloyd's Register
T +65 9137 8515
F +44 (0) 207 423 1750
E
douglas.raitt@lr.org
Lloyd's Register
71 Fenchurch Street
London EC3M 4BS, UK
T +44 (0)20 7709 9166
F +44 (0)20 7488 4796
E news@lr.org
www.lr.org
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