World Bunkering > News > Summer 2011 > FUJCON - Steady as she goes

The 7th International Fujairah Bunkering & Fuel Oil Forum (FUJCON) coincided with unrest in the Middle East and fears that the fragile global economic recovery could be at risk.

There were, however, words of reassurance from Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi, the emirate’s former Minister of Environment and Water, in his welcoming address. Dr Al Kindi has been a driving force behind Fujcon since its inception in 2000, is well known in IBIA circles and was formerly a Council member. He acknowledged the problems afflicting the world economy but told delegates: “Nevertheless, despite the ongoing global economic crisis, I can assure you that the United Arab Emirates, as a well established leading commercial centre in the Middle East, will continue to play an important role as a major financial link between the East and the West. Our structural policies are put into place for maintaining the stability of the real economy.”

Dr Al Kindi reflected on how much things had changed in Fujairah since the first Fujcon. He said: “Looking back to our first Fujcon in 2000, it is, to me at least, almost a shock to recall that we were then operating with only 1,500 metres of main quay. Today, the port has just under 4,820 metres of quay of which 2,340 metres are dedicated oil berths. The port has built and invested in anticipation of demand and this will continue to be both governmental and port policy.”

Nowadays, nothing stands still for long in Fujairah and contracts will shortly be awarded for a minimum of 1,000 metres of additional oil berths. A master plan has been drawn up for an additional 11 berths to be implemented in stages as required. Investment in corresponding marine resources, tugs, vessels staff and facilities is continuing to increase. The Fujairah Free Zone has also developed and expanded rapidly to accommodate the new industrial petrochemical area.

Dr Al Kindi also drew attention to Fujairah’s “abundance of mountains and, in some important locations, an almost corresponding lack of coastal plain for future development”. He told the conference: “This has been tackled imaginatively with some 53 million metric tons being blasted, transported and compacted to gain some 225 hectares of land for future projects, from the sea. We have come a long way from our first Fujairah Bunkering Conference.”

Finding out about the latest developments at Fujairah is one of the reasons for attending Fujcon, but by no means the only, not even, perhaps, the most important. This latest Fujcon, as with its predecessors, provided a wide-ranging insight into issues affecting both the Middle Eastern and wider global bunker industry.

Chemoil’s CEO, Tom Reilly, gave a keynote speech which emphasised the uncertainties now facing a global bunker market that will remain in a state of flux. He predicted that there would an increasing number of joint ventures and that consolidation will increase. On the other hand, however, diversification of bunker players is set to continue.

The rest of the programme comprised a balanced assessment of the main issues of concern, with IBIA’s chief executive Ian Adams providing an update on Marpol Annex VI issues and developments at IMO.

As ever, Fujcon’s organiser, Singapore-based Conference Connection, made sure the social and networking side of the event went smoothly. Informal gatherings both at the venue, Fujairah’s five star Al Diar Siji hotel, and also at the Conference Dinner in the grounds of the Hilton Hotel contributed to the event’s success.