Port of Fujairah signs MoU with Amsterdam

The Port of Amsterdam, STC-Group Holding and Iskes Towage and Salvage, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Amsterdam with the Port of Fujairah, PoF, one of the largest oil storage and bunkering hubs in the world. The agreement focuses on further strategic cooperation, according to a statement by the Amsterdam Port Authority.

According to the authority, the signing of the MoU was attended by Sheikh Saleh bin Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Port of Fujairah.

As part of Amsterdam Port Consultants, APC, a port advisory foundation consisting of partners with strong ties to Amsterdam, Port of Amsterdam, STC-Group and Iskes executed an assessment of the current marine operations in the Port of Fujairah in 2015. Recommendations made have subsequently been implemented while Iskes and STC-Group set up training programmes for PoF employees, the statement said. With the conclusion of the implementation track, all parties expressed a desire to continue the fruitful cooperation, it added.

The Port of Amsterdam is the largest gasoline hub in Northwestern Europe, while the Port of Fujairah is the second-largest oil bunkering port in the world.

The oil products market is a field for direct mutual added value, but both ports have ambitions beyond this specific cargo.

Commenting on the signing of the agreement, Capt. Mousa Murad, the General Manager of the Port of Fujairah, said, "The Port of Fujairah has grown rapidly over the years," according to the statement. "We are very proud of all that we have accomplished, but also recognise that the support of partners is instrumental in maintaining and expanding our position."

The CEO of the Port of Amsterdam, Koen Overtoom, added, " We are a true port of partnerships. We look for strong, long-term relations with organisations, like STC-Group and Iskes, and with other ports. With Port of Fujairah, we have found a partner that plays a large role in a supply chain that is both very important to the port of Amsterdam and one that is subject to rapid developments. We look forward to the continuation of this strategic partnership and the benefits it will bring to both sides."