Greenergy has also reached agreement with Royal Vopak to purchase its one third share in the joint venture that owns Thames Oilport and Thames Enterprise Park. (Shell retains its existing third share). New engineering work carried out at the Thames Oilport will allow the storage of diesel to commence next year
Macquarie Capital and Greenergy are to establish Navigator Terminals through acquisition of Royal Vopak’s UK operating storage assets and Greenergy North Tees
Behind Navigator Terminals (Navigator) are Macquarie Capital and Greenergy which have partnered to acquire Royal Vopak’s UK storage facilities at West Thurrock on the Thames, Seal Sands at Teesside and Windmill near Cardiff. Simultaneously, Navigator will also acquire the operational storage assets of Greenergy North Tees at Teesside.
These acquisitions will give Navigator an initial storage capacity of approximately 1.5 million cubic meters, making it the UK’s largest independent bulk liquid storage provider. Each terminal is strategically located in an area of significant regional demand.
“Our participation in Navigator ensures our continued access to the infrastructure assets that currently underpin our UK supply position,” says Andrew Owens, Greenergy chief executive.
“It gives us greater flexibility at these facilities, ensuring we will be best placed to deliver low cost and resilient fuel supply for our customers in the long-term. As an infrastructure investment company, Navigator will also provide a vehicle to fund further infrastructure acquisitions supporting our continued growth in the fuels sector.”
Neil Arora, senior managing director, Macquarie Capital said: “Greenergy is the leading provider of wholesale fuels in the UK and uniquely placed to lead investment in the UK storage sector. We are delighted to partner with Greenergy to establish Navigator Terminals. This transaction is another example of the flexible, partnership capital Macquarie Capital is able to deploy to support clients globally.”
There are no plans to change existing operations or management and staff of the terminals. Navigator will continue to provide ongoing fuel, crude oil and chemical storage for a wide range of customers at the terminals. Greenergy will continue as principal customer of Navigator for fuel storage at the West Thurrock and Teesside terminals. Navigator is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety across its operations and will combine the best of Vopak’s and Greenergy’s safety systems and culture at all facilities.
As part of the transaction Greenergy has entered into long-term off take agreements with Navigator at West Thurrock, Seal Sands and North Tees, where it currently stores and supplies fuel. In addition, Navigator has committed to build a new diesel pipeline to link the deep water jetty at North Tees with the neighbouring Seal Sands terminal, further integrating these two facilities and increasing operational efficiencies for the benefit of all customers.
The acquisitions are scheduled to complete towards the end of the first quarter 2016.www.greenergy.comwww.macquarie.com
“Vianet Fuel Solutions is a natural fit for the Wayne business as it helps further our goal to offer fuel management capabilities to our customers,” said Neil Thomas, chief executive officer at Wayne Fueling Systems.
“The Vianet business already has existing customers in the UK, has a knowledgeable team, and has competitive and comprehensive fuel management services which complements our product and services offerings,” added Neil.
The UK-based Vianet Fuel Solutions (VFS) includes two main product lines as part of the Wayne acquisition: Fuel Management Services (FMS) and Construction Forecourt Services (CFS).
FMS is comprised of real-time wet stock management, asset management and compliance monitoring services. CFS aligns with Wayne’s current UK services business, although provides additional provisions including construction and electrical compliance services and tank lining.
“Over the past two years, Vianet has made significant commercial progress and has established a strong reputation in the UK forecourt sector. This transaction recognises the value which has been created,” noted James Dickson, chairman of Vianet Group plc.
“Whilst it will be sad to say farewell to the VFS team, I’m pleased that there’s a great fit with Wayne who will take VFS to the next stage of development and growth. This is a competitive landscape increasingly dominated by major global players such as Wayne.”
The closure of the acquisition is anticipated to occur in first quarter of 2016.
The StocExpo conference programme attracts the movers and shakers in the bulk liquid storage industry
After two years in Rotterdam, StocExpo returns to Antwerp Expo next year – the three-day event for the bulk liquid storage industry takes place on 15 –17th March.
“We’re delighted to have strong industry support from the Belgian and Dutch tank storage associations, BATO and VOTOB plus the Port of Antwerp is on board as official port supporter,” said Nick Powell, StocExpo & Tank Storage portfolio event manager.
StocExpo 2016 is the platform on which many exhibitors will launch new technologies and concepts and make major announcements. Over 150 companies from right across the tank storage supply chain have already signed-up including Scully Systems, CTS Netherlands BV, Mercon Steel Structures BV, Emerson Process Management, J. de Jonge Flowsystems BV, Emco Wheaton and Endress + Hauser.
“StocExpo is one of the shows we look forward most to attending,” said Loadtec’s marketing manager Angeline Radley. “StocExpo goes a long way in helping Loadtec establish critical business relationships with partners and customers alike. It remains unrivalled in terms of the reach and exposure to our current and potential customers in the European storage market.”
Day one of the 2016 conference programme will cover market analysis, day two will look at opportunities and finance with day three focusing on innovative technology. There will also be sessions dedicated to the international market, particularly focusing on storage developments in the US and Middle East.
Among those sharing insights and experience at the conference will be Vopak, the Port of Antwerp, National Bank of Belgium and Zeeland Sea Ports; the full speaker line-up will be announced fully in the coming weeks.StocExpo 2016
15 – 17 March 2016
Antwerp Expo
Antwerpwww.easyfairs.com/events_216/stocexpo-antwerp-2016_74791/stocexpo-antwerp-2016_75090/news-press_75105/testimonials_77407/
Assist Resourcing Group and its national logistics training business, System Training, opened a new driver training and test centre in Widnes last month.
Dave Dargan, CEO of the Assist Resourcing Group said the company is investing to provide the skilled drivers that Britain’s transport industry needs.
“Our new System Training centre in Widnes will provide a springboard for the enhanced delivery of our driver services to regional and national businesses /organisations. With a growing team of experts and the inclusion of additional training capacity, we’re playing our part in driving up standards and addressing the national driver shortage.”
The facility consists of a suite of three specially designed classrooms, an outside manoeuvring area, a fleet of LGV training vehicles as well as a team of experienced instructors enabling candidates to gain the required skills, experience and certifications for a career in driving commercial vehicles of all sizes.
The centre is also a DVSA approved test centre where individuals will be able to undertake training and take their LGV driving test as an integrated package thus helping relieve the current bottleneck on test availability.
This investment by Assist greatly increases its capability to grow its own driver pool and offer more professionally trained LGV drivers to its customers.
System Training is running a number of specially designed programmes to train people to become LGV drivers. These programmes include its Warehouse to Wheels scheme, which aims to train more than 100 warehouse staff a year to become drivers.
The new Driving Ambition programme will also be available, opening up more opportunities for local unemployed people to retrain as part of an intensive eight-week course to be ready for work as drivers.
Working in partnership with a number of employers System Training also provides a young persons Driving Goods Vehicle apprenticeship programme which enables a young person over a 12-month period to acquire their LGV licence and be trained and gain experience of being a professional driver.
System Training is one of the UK’s leading logistics training providers. It works with logistics and utility companies, military and government departments, local authorities, national corporations and small businesses as well as the self-employed.
www.system-training.com
Ian Jackson – ‘chuffed to bits to be driving around in the Gulf livery’
A Gulf customer living at Denny in Falkirk has won the star prize – a brand new Mini Cooper – in Gulf’s recent forecourt promotion.
Liveried in the iconic blue and orange Gulf branding, Ian Jackson collected the car from Haugh’s Filling Station in Denny, where his winning entry was purchased.
To enter the competition, Ian purchased £25 of fuel, after which he entered his receipt details into the competition website.
“I’ve never won anything before so, when I received the call initially, I almost didn’t believe it,” said Ian.
“Haugh’s is my local filling station, just half a mile from my home, which I drive past on the way into work. Once the competition opened, I changed my usual £50 weekly refuel to a £25 twice-weekly refill, just so I could enter multiple times. I’m so pleased that I didn’t throw away the receipt, as I wouldn’t own this car if I had! I’ll be chuffed to bits driving around in the Gulf livery; I’ll be the only person in the country with a car like this, which is pretty special.”
Colin Levy, retail operations manager at Certas Energy commented:
“It’s one of the perks of my job to notify a customer that they’ve won a fantastic prize such as this. Everyone working at Haugh’s is chuffed that the winning fuel receipt was purchased at their site. A big ‘thank you’ also goes to Londis which generously donated a superb hamper to Ian.
Pictured at Dublin Airport – Lynn Drumgoole from Retail Excellence Ireland , Paul Candon, group corporate services director at Topaz and Goal CEO Barry Andrews
Drop in centres at over 300 Topaz service stations across Ireland have played their part in the collection of over two tonnes of essential items for the Goal charity’s Syrian Appeal.
Topaz, recently acquired by Canadian company Couche-Tard, was partnered in the initiative by a number of organisations including the daa, which manages Cork and Dublin airports, Masterlink Logistics and Retail Excellence Ireland. The blankets and quilts, warm jackets, waterproof boots, clothes and sleeping bags which were collected were then flown to Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight.
Paul Candon, Topaz Group corporate services director said the initiative had received wonderful support from the public.
“The conflict in Syria is causing untold hardship for the citizens of that country. This aid will go directly to the refugee camps where it is needed most. We would like to thank all the people who donated so generously as well as our staff and dealers who facilitated the collection of the aid throughout our network. We were delighted to support this excellent initiative and wish Goal well with their vital work in Syria.”
“By providing this assistance we have ensured that at least some of the many millions of Syrian families displaced from their homes by conflict will stay warm as the cold winter months approach,” said Barry Andrews, Goal CEO.
The general public can still support GOAL’s appeal through its website www.goalglobal.org
The awards ceremony celebrated the achievements of the best tank farms and terminals from over 100 nominated companies. Finalists and winners can be found at www.oilterminal.org/nominations-2015
Major oil companies across Russia and Europe attended last month’s 10th Congress on the trading and transportation of crude oil, LPG and petroleum products in St. Petersburg.
More than 300 representatives of the government, business and analyst communities attended the strategic congress with more than 150 people attending Tank Farms and Oil Terminals: from advanced design to efficient operations. There were large delegations of technical experts with the speakers’ panel featuring 35 technical representatives from oil terminals, tank farms, regulators, environmentalists, experts on ecology and industrial safety companies.
Given the complexity of the political situation in the world, participants in the strategic congress – Transneft, Gazpromneft, Chernomortransneft, Port Kozmino port of Primorsk and Ust-Luga Oil – discussed their development strategy.
Stressing the importance of having not only the support of government bodies but also an efficient interaction of a public-private partnerships, state operator Rosmorport spoke of port infrastructure investment projects in the north west Russia.
Taking the opportunity to share the latest insights into trading opportunities in the era of cheap oil were the popular trader debates with representatives from Bashneft, St Petersburg International Commodity Exchange, Transneft and Sun Light Petroleum.
The development of oil and gas transportation and the complexity of marine and river transportation were discussed by representatives from Prime Shipping and Palmali.http://www.oilterminal.org/en
For a chance to win an unforgettable holiday in California, simply fill up with £25 worth of fuel at a participating Gulf forecourt before 31 January 2016.
Having bought the fuel, using the detail on your fuel receipt, visit the www.gulfoil.co.uk/winaholiday then enter the transaction reference (receipt number), plus your name, email address, postcode and contact number. Alternatively text your fuel transaction reference and the word GULFHOLIDAY to 78070. Standard mobile rates apply.
“What a great tonic for these winter months!” said retail director Ramsay MacDonald.
“Following on from our win a car promotion it shows how we’re targeting brand recognition and loyalty with drivers. It gives our dealer network the opportunity to give something back to their customers and will make one lucky customer extremely happy indeed.”
The composition of the trip will be at the discretion of the winner – perhaps Yosemite National Park, the Golden Gate Bridge and the body-building Mecca at Muscle Beach, Los Angeles – your choice up to the value of £6,000. The random draw to select the winner will take place on 8 February 2016.
To find out which Gulf forecourts are taking part go to www.gulfoil.co.uk/winaholiday.
“We would like to see government harness the power of OFTEC technicians by including them in the roll out of future energy policies,” said Jeremy Hawksley.
After a ‘very positive’ meeting with Dr Dan Poulter, deputy chairman of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee last month, OFTEC has submitted recommendations that focus on ‘incentivising solutions that are simple, affordable to install and offer competitive running costs’.
With ‘a strong vision and the required resources to deliver a well-planned entry into the market,’ Essar’s first branded site at Coalville in Leicestershire will be quickly followed by more sites
Last month Essar Oil UK became the newest entrant into the UK fuel retail sector when, in association with HKS Retail, its first branded service station opened in Leicestershire.
The site in Coalville has undergone a complete corporate rebrand and is the first of many Essar service stations planned across the country. Contracts for other retail sites have already been agreed and these will be rolled out over the coming months.
This is the first time the company, which owns and operates the Stanlow oil refinery, has supplied product directly to a site branded under its own company colours. The refinery has supplied the major retail brands with high quality products for over half a century and currently produces 15% of all transport fuels used in the UK.
“This is a significant step forward and part of our plans to add value to our UK business,” said SB Prasad, chief commercial officer for retail at Essar Oil UK.
“We’ve worked hard to deliver a distinctive brand, competitive commercial offering and the best possible customer support. HKS Retail has worked with all the major retail brands, so this is a real sign of their confidence in Essar and we look forward to further strengthening this relationship.”
Commercial business manager at Essar Oil UK, Bryan Hayes explained: “Essar have brought a very clear, honest and straightforward offer to dealers in the UK, supplying quality products from our Stanlow refinery at value prices.
“We aim to build our network quickly over the coming months and are looking to talk with potential new dealers to see how we can work together to further develop their businesses.”
Shane Thakrar, chief executive HKS Retail said: “We feel the Essar brand has a strong vision and the required resources to deliver a well-planned entry into the market. The new branding is refreshing and welcoming to consumers, whom have commented favourably on the site’s new look.”
The Essar Group already has significant expertise in the retail sector with about 1,700 Essar-branded retail outlets in India, with another ~1,900 under various stages of implementation.
The global Essar Group has annual revenues of $35 billion, with operations in 29 countries and over 60,000 employees worldwide.
