World Bunkering > News > Autumn 2009 > Iran emerges as serious player

It is likely that other companies may enter the scene soon but the main player is BGK, which started supplying in December 2006. It was the first private physical supplier in Iran and won an international tender from the NIOC. Since then the company has expanded quickly.

BGK started with one chartered tanker and monthly sales of just 350 tonnes but by March 2008 sales had reached 120,000 tonnes and more tankers were brought in as the client list built up.

The company’s sales and marketing director Mehran Ghobadian says: “We started by supplying in the port at Bandar Abbas and then expanded to the inner anchorage, the outer anchorage and then to an anchorage south of Larak in the Strait of Hormuz. Most recently we have commenced operations at BIK and Mahshahr. Soon we will be serving the very important port of Asaluyeh, which is Iran’s main export terminal for LPG, sulphur, condensate and chemicals.”

According to Ghobadian there are several advantages to bunkering in Iran. The fuels are straight-run products, with no blending, and quality exceeds ISO8217-2005. BGK receives its fuel under a long-term contract with NIOPDC, which ensures there are always adequate supplies and owners do not have to worry about possible shortages of avails. It can supply 380 and 180 cSt fuel oil and gas oil. Almost no deviation from international routes is required, especially if using the Larak location where there is a safe anchorage which does not get congested and provides good holding ground and a good depth of water. Another advantage is that no port dues are levied on bunker calls.

At Bandar Abbas BGK currently loads from a 84,000 tonnes capacity tank farm connected directly to the refinery pipe line. The capacity of the tank farm is being expanded considerably in the Phase Two expansion plan.

BGK now operates six bunker tankers with capacities ranging from 2,300 dwt to 10,000 dwt , and supplies around 150,000 tonnes a month in Bandar Abbas alone.

The global economic downturn has had an effect on demand but Ghobadian says that sales are showing signs of picking up and new owners are bunkering in Iran. The company has been taking on more staff to push up sales and has also been targeting dry bulk carrier owners, as long as their credit ratings are good.