Vivo Energy Mauritius Ltd (VEML) has decided to upgrade and replace two pipelines connecting the fuel depot at Quays A, D and E for the storage of heavy oil and diesel.
The project will replace the underground pipelines with two new above-ground pipelines: one for low sulphur fuel oil and one for high sulphur fuel oil respectively. Another marine diesel line will be laid along the same alignment. The new overhead pipelines will extend for approximately 300 metres.
The main reason for the project is to ensure that VEML complies with the new IMO 2020 requirements, which is a set of regulations aimed at preventing pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes. The sulphur content limit for fuel oil used on board ships has been set at 0.5%, a significant reduction from the previous limit of 3.5%.
The main reason for undertaking this project in the port is that from 1 January 2020, an International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulation on the sulphur content in Marine fuel has come into force. The new regulation, known as IMO 2020, imposes a maximum sulphur content of 0.5% in marine fuels worldwide. The idea behind the change is to reduce air pollution from ships.
Observers say the impact of the new regulations on Africa will be profound given the mix of sulphur and oil content in oil production across the continent.
The project promoter believes that 25 jobs will be created during the construction phase. The categories of workers that will be employed are managers, engineers, technicians, foremen, machine operators, masons, carpenters, welders, painters and others.
