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To keep especially the floating equipment operational at the New Lock in Terneuzen, contractor combination Sassevaart has contracted Zeeland Bunkering to supply fuel, freshwater and lubricants throughout the project. A great job for Zeeland Bunkering, literally in its "front yard. "We can almost follow the ships and pontoons of the contractor combination, because we see them sailing back and forth every day," said director Huib Bimmel.
With its five bunker boats, Zeeland Bunkering normally supplies barges with red gas oil.
For Southwest Netherlands, Zeeland Bunkering is the partner for all marine fuels, lubricants and gases. "Partly because of the cooperation with Oliehandel Dekker, we can provide the best possible service to our customers," says Bimmel. "We are located in the canal from Ghent to Terneuzen, on Beneluxweg, right by the busy part of the canal behind the locks and under the smoke and flag of Total. This is also where our five bunker boats are stationed. In addition to Terneuzen, we also have our own location in Vlissingen-Oost, where, among other things, we supply the shipping industry with gas oil."
For the larger (ocean-going) ships, bunkering takes a bit longer up to sometimes several hours.
Zeeland Bunkering, with its five bunker boats, normally supplies barges with red gas oil. Bimmel: "Because of our superior location and our expertise in bunkering, contractor combination Sassevaart approached us to provide all fuel deliveries on the water throughout the project. Among other things, we fill the push barges and floating pontoons with cranes with red gas oil from our bunker boat. Sometimes we are also asked for clear diesel, which we provide with tanker trucks in cooperation with Oliehandel Dekker. Because we are located right behind the locks, we can switch very quickly. We also supply fresh water for showering on board or cleaning the deck and occasionally some lubricants. The main part, however, is the supply of red gas oil."
"Sometimes people also ask for clear diesel, which we provide with tanker trucks in cooperation with Oliehandel Dekker."
The number of gallons that Zeeland Bunkering delivers to contractor Sassevaart varies each time, according to Bimmel. "Usually it's about 5,000 to 10,000 liters per dump. We then sail alongside with our bunker boat and refuel them in just under half an hour. For the larger (sea) ships, bunkering obviously takes a bit more time up to sometimes several hours. But then you are talking about volumes of about 100,000 liters per deposit. Deliveries to Sassevaart take place 24/7 except on Sundays. We often have enough fuel on board to do multiple refueling sometimes. We also have a stock pontoon in Terneuzen with 1 million liters of gas oil, and another 350,000 liters of gas oil is in stock in Flushing. Of our five bunker vessels, we deploy three for inland navigation, including for Sassevaart, and two are intended for maritime navigation. Looking to the future with the newly constructed sea lock in Terneuzen, the opportunities in this water-rich region will only increase for us."
