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Displaying items by tag: Energy Contract

The Welsh capital of Cardiff is where its port celebrated the start of a new contract with Valero, a global refiner specialising in the manufacture of transportation fuels and petrochemical products. The development will help power the economy of the city and the wider region.

The new long-term agreement includes occupation of a 12-acre storage and distribution terminal adjacent to Associated British Ports (ABP)’s Roath Dock in Cardiff which will be fed by coastal tankers utilising the port's multimodal and deep-sea connectivity.

As part of the agreement, Valero will be importing predominantly road fuels, including petrol, ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD) and biofuels, as well as heating fuels, into Cardiff for distribution to the regional market in south Wales.

Valero utilises a coastal shipping service linking its west Wales refinery in Pembroke (Port of Milford Haven) to its network of storage and distribution terminals around the UK and Ireland, with expectations to handle considerable liquid bulk tonnage through Cardiff every year.  

ABP’s Port of Cardiff’s strategic location facilitates access to a market of 1.5 million people living in the Cardiff Capital Region, which equals approximately half the population of Wales.

In preparation for the new contract, ABP has made significant investments in enhancing port infrastructure, including investing  more than £400,000 in jetty infrastructure upgrades and recently completion of a five year programme to replace both the inner and outer lock gates, representing a £5 million investment to secure  marine access for the next 50 years. ​​​​​​​

Andrew Harston, Regional Director for ABP’s Wales and Short Sea Ports, said: “Valero is a great example of a company that is able to use sea transport for the 100 mile journey from Pembroke to Cardiff.

“ABP has a longstanding relationship with Valero and we look forward to this continuing our collaboration into the future with this new agreement.”

ABP owns and operates 21 ports across the UK, located in close proximity to important domestic industrial clusters, logistics hubs and major conurbations. ABP owns a total of 3,743 ha of freehold land, which includes 960 ha of strategic development land in prime locations across the country.

Published in Ports & Shipping

About Marine Technology

Marine technology, as defined by the European association WEGEMT, refers to the use of technology for ensuring the safe use, exploitation, protection of, and intervention in, the marine environment. This includes a wide range of technologies that support naval architecture, marine engineering, ship design, ship building, and ship operations.

In addition to these foundational technologies, marine technology also encompasses oil and gas exploration, exploitation, and production, hydrodynamics, navigation, sea surface and sub-surface support, underwater technology and engineering, marine resources (including both renewable and non-renewable marine resources), transport logistics and economics, inland, coastal, short sea and deep sea shipping, protection of the marine environment, and leisure and safety.

The importance of marine technology cannot be overstated. With over 70% of the earth's surface covered by water, the marine environment plays a critical role in our lives. From transportation to energy production, marine technology enables us to harness the immense potential of the oceans while minimizing the impact on the environment.

Moreover, the development of marine technology is crucial for the sustainable use of marine resources. As the demand for seafood and other marine products continues to grow, the sustainable management of these resources becomes increasingly important. Marine technology can help us to achieve this by providing innovative solutions for sustainable fishing, aquaculture, and other forms of marine resource management.

In Ireland, claims are made that the island country "has the potential to be the “Silicon Valley” of the aquatech world". Ireland is at a very exciting stage when it comes to aquatech. There are currently 62 aquatech companies operating here, all using technology to enable sustainable seafood farming at a time when the sector is facing many challenges.”

Ireland’s growing expertise in the developing aquatech sector means it has the potential to become a global leader in the field, with Irish aquatech companies turning over €200m last year.

Over €15m has been invested in aquatic businesses, and over 200 high-tech jobs have been created in the sector over the last six years.

In conclusion, marine technology is a vast and rapidly evolving field encompassing a broad range of technologies and applications. As we continue to explore and exploit the potential of the oceans, marine technology will play an increasingly important role in ensuring the safe and sustainable use of these resources.