Bunkering Segment

Mauritius, through its geographical position, is located on one of the busiest shipping lane connecting central Asia, Africa and South America. This presents opportunities for offering bunkering services and gradually Port Louis Harbour has been witnessing a constant rise in the supply of bunker fuels to vessels plying in the east to west shipping route and vice versa.

A significant liberalisation of the Mauritian bunker market was undertaken in 2014, with government incentives provided through reduction and removal of charges and duties and an improved process for issuing of licenses and import permits.

The following measures have been implemented to promote the bunkering sector:

1. Gradual shift from the State Trading Corporation imports to direct imports by bunker suppliers and oil companies as from 1^st January 2014;
2. Removal of MID levy of 30 cents per litre (approximately $ 11 per metric ton) on bunker fuel as from 1^st July 2015;
3. Extension of excise duty and VAT exemption on bunker fuel consumed within port limit by bunker barges engaged in the supply of bunker fuels;
4. Discounted price on port charges (port dues and anchorage fees);
5. Permitting ship to ship cargo transfer of bunker fuels to replenish bunker barges.

Bunkering services are carried out all year round by both local and international suppliers. Presently there are seven bunker suppliers and six bunker barges providing bunker fuels to vessels calling at Port Louis Harbour.

Bunkering activities are carried out within the port limits at quay from shore storage facilities through pipelines and bowsers and by bunker barges either at berth or at anchorage. The bunker fuels handled are mainly very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) and low sulphur marine gasoil (LSMGO). The particulars of bunker barges, bunker suppliers and grade of bunker fuels are listed in the table below.