TFG Marine, a leading global supplier of premium marine fuels, has announced the completion of its acquisition of a majority stake in Vilma Oil Med, a prominent Spanish bunkering company. This marks a major milestone in TFG Marine’s ongoing efforts to expand its physical supply network and strengthen its position in the global bunkering market.
Strategic Location in the Strait of Gibraltar
Vilma Oil Med is strategically based in the Port of Ceuta, located within the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world’s busiest maritime transit routes, with over 100,000 vessels passing through annually. This prime location offers a significant advantage in meeting the fueling needs of vessels navigating this critical seaway.
Since commencing physical bunker supply operations in 2006, Vilma Oil Med has developed a robust infrastructure and reputation for excellence. Its facilities include an 84,000 cubic meter storage terminal, enabling secure and efficient fuel storage. Additionally, the company operates a state-of-the-art bunker barge equipped with a mass flow meter to ensure precise and transparent fuel delivery. The barge services both in-port and offshore operations, supplying high-quality marine fuels to over 1,500 vessels annually.
Enhancing Reliability and Innovation
The acquisition brings together TFG Marine’s extensive expertise in marine fuel trading and Vilma Oil Med’s operational excellence. This partnership will deliver enhanced reliability and efficiency in marine fuel services, meeting the growing demand for dependable and innovative bunkering solutions in the West Mediterranean.
A key aspect of this collaboration is the focus on technology and sustainability. Vilma Oil Med’s bunker barge is currently being upgraded with advanced equipment, including a mass flow meter, aligning with TFG Marine’s mission to encourage digitalization and transparency across the bunkering industry. This technological integration supports TFG Marine’s broader goal of fostering decarbonization and sustainable practices in the marine fuel sector.
Expanding Services in the West Mediterranean
With the completion of the acquisition, TFG Marine now offers an expanded portfolio of high-quality marine fuel options in the West Mediterranean Sea. The partnership allows customers to access reliable fueling solutions that cater to the specific needs of vessels transiting the region.
This move also positions TFG Marine to leverage Vilma Oil Med’s existing capabilities and infrastructure while introducing its own cutting-edge solutions to ensure operational excellence and environmental stewardship.
The completion of TFG Marine’s acquisition of Vilma Oil Med marks a transformative step in the company’s strategic expansion. This partnership enhances the delivery of marine fuels in a key region while reinforcing TFG Marine’s reputation as a leader in the bunkering industry, committed to innovation, transparency, and sustainability.
About Vilma Oil Med
Over the last eighteen years Vilma Oil Med has developed a first-class bunkering service from the Port of Ceuta in the Strait of Gibraltar in the European West Mediterranean Sea. The company operates a time-chartered bunker barge fitted with Mass Flow Meter and petroleum storage facility of 84,000 cbm, delivering over 1,500 vessel supplies annually. Vilma Oil Med’s commitment to quality and operational excellence makes it a trusted partner for vessels navigating the busy West Mediterranean corridor.
About TFG Marine
TFG Marine is a leading international marine fuel supply and procurement joint venture between Trafigura Group Pte, a global physical commodity trading company, and shipowning firms Frontline Ltd and Golden Ocean Group Ltd. Formed in 2020, TFG Marine bridges every stage of the bunkering process with modern, simplified, and transparent services. The company supplies over 10 million metric tonnes of marine fuels annually across 35 strategic bunkering hub locations worldwide.
As a long-standing advocate for transparency in the bunkering process, TFG Marine promotes the global adoption of calibrated mass flow meters (MFMs). This technology ensures accuracy and transparency in fuel delivery while encouraging digitalization in the long-term interests of the bunkering industry.
TFG Marine also supports decarbonization goals in the shipping sector. A recent whitepaper sponsored by TFG Marine and other key stakeholders highlighted the success of Singapore’s MFM-based bunker licensing system, proposing it as a global template to improve transparency and drive digital transformation across the industry.
Source TFG Marine