Hangana launches cost-saving fuel blend

HANGANA Seafood at Walvis Bay last week introduced a fuel blending system that could transform fuel standards and costs for the fishing industry and other major fuel-consumption industries in Namibia.

The ‘on-shore in-line fuel blending station’ is a N$35 million innovation that has resulted in a cheaper and environmentally ‘greener’ fuel than heavy fuel oil (HFO), which most vessels use, blended to customer specification, and that will soon be available to the entire marine industry.’If innovation is understood as the successful introduction of something new and useful, like new methods, techniques, or practices or new products and services, then Hangana Seafood’s fuel blending station is a true innovation,’ said Project Manager, Martin Krafft, at the introduction of the facility.The Executive Chairman of the Olthaver & List Group of Companies, of which Hangana Seafood is a subsidiary, Sven Thieme, said 2004 to 2006 were difficult years for the fishing industry due to unfavourable economic circumstances, which were aggravated by record high fuel prices. Fuel prices increased by more than 60 per cent and represented the second highest expenditure in the industry after salaries and wages.’This is when the idea of a fuel blending project was born with the initial objective of reducing fuels costs,’ he said. ‘Little did we know that we had come up with an innovation that would benefit the whole marine industry, as well as other industries and the Government.’Now the company can offer a cheaper and environmentally friendlier range of fuels to vessels from its quay, eliminating off-shore refueling.The fuel blender can blend any fuel, from automotive diesel oil to HFO. The blending takes place under controlled conditions and is deemed a safer process compared to refueling offshore, where climatic conditions vary and higher risks in terms of potential spillages exist.Advantages to in-line fuel blending are improved fuel quality, greater flexibility, reduced storage and cost optimisation.Thieme said Hangana’s blend met national and international standards, and expressed his hope that the Ministries of Fisheries and Marine Resource and Mines and Energy would support the company in making the fuel and technology available to the marine and other industries, such as mining.adam@namibian.com.na