Rosneft proposes to tighten control over bunkering

Rosneft proposed the government to tighten control over marine fuel market and actually keep only for large competitors controlled by the oil companies. Rosneft accuses independent competitors of dumping and “questionable quality” of their products. Small bunker suppliers totally disagree with it. Sources say, oil companies want to monopolize bunkering, though this can cause sharp increase in fuel prices.

The President of Rosneft, Igor Sechin proposed the PM Dmitry Medvedev to “entrust” the development of bunkering market (fueling of vessels) only to large fuel producers, is said in the letter of the top manager of September 23rd. He assesses the market of marine fuel in 8-9 million tons per year, vertically integrated oil companies make up about 70%. Igor Sechin mentions RN-Bunker, Lukoil-Bunker and Gazpromneft Marine Bunker among the large competitors. He believes, these companies are “targeted to further increase their of sales, an improvement of servicing quality and the attractiveness of Russian ports”.