The progressive company at the heart of Grimsby’s fish industry has collaborated with a leading worldwide marine fuels supplier to provide a state-of-the-art bunker operation for vessels that come to the area.
Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises, which is well known for managing Grimsby Fish Market, has jointly set up the facility with Maritime Bunkering Limited to take over the facility from Cosalt which previously provided fuel in the dock for more than 50 years.
Martyn Boyers, Chief Executive of Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises, wanted to ensure that there was continuity to fuel supply in the dock and therefore negotiated the joint venture with Maritime Bunkering Limited, part of the well known family-owned company J R Rix and Sons Limited, to put the facility in place.
Mr Boyers says he has plenty of optimism for the port's future and he is keen to ensure vessels have all of the necessary facilities with which to work.
“It's important that we continue to supply fuel 24 hours a day, like Cosalt has done for many years.” he said. “As a port organisation, Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises are regularly approached by customers who need fuel so we are pleased to reach an agreement on maintaining this important service.
“Although there has been a decline in the number of fishing vessels in recent times, I still feel very confident about the actual catching industry itself. The new bunker facility is located on the same fuel quay as the previous Cosalt operation and will be manned during normal working hours.
There is a dual pump system for large or small vessels with a 90,000 litre capacity storage tank.”
“This represents a significant investment into the port by Maritime Bunkering Limited and our link with them is very important in that we will work closely with them to supply the fuel. The operation we have set up allows us to cater for all existing customers and we hope to attract new business as well.”
Captain Ian Fee, Director of Maritime Bunkering Limited, added: “We welcomed the opportunity of operating this joint venture in conjunction with Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises and have been grateful for the invaluable help they have provided.
“We can supply fuel 24 hours a day by arrangement and can be contacted at any time. I believe this to be the way forward and Maritime Bunkering Limited has heavily invested in state-of-the-art equipment for the facility.”
Commenting on the sale, Cosalt's Area Manager for the North Adrian Macklin said: “Cosalt has been a supplier of fuel oil to local fishermen and the business community around Grimsby Fish Dock since 1964. However, after carrying out a strategic review of our business we decided to rationalise our operations and offer our fuel oil business for sale.
“Although negotiations to sell the facility to Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises began some three years ago, we felt it was important to support our existing customers during the transfer period and ensure their service was not disrupted. For this reason we decided to continue to support the cost of running the facility until a satisfactory agreement was reached.
“I would personally like to thank the companies that assisted in the transfer of the business and the site clearance, namely H. Cope and Sons, Waste Oil Services Ltd, EntecUk Ltd and Associated British Ports.
“Cosalt now wishes the joint venture between Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises and Maritime Bunkering Limited every success for the future. We will continue to offer our customers a full range of marine safety and associated products from our local branch on Wickham Road in Grimsby.”
