The information was advanced by João de Almeida, president of Sonangol Marine Service. According to the official, the second ship should be received in September 2023. Both tankers will have the capacity to transport one million barrels of crude oil.
These ships, which transit through the Suez Canal, intend to reinforce the international fleet of the oil company: "The fleet renewal process is continuous, because if we stop renewing the fleet, in a few years, the ships reach a certain age at which they can no longer be accepted in the international market", explained the official, quoted by Angop.
João de Almeida considered that the ships purchased were among the best on the market, explaining that Sonangol had a project director in the purchase, participating in the selection of the construction yard, as well as in the choice of equipment, machinery, materials, etc.
Sonangol Marine Service is dedicated to the operation of Suezmax oil tankers, as well as the transport of LNG, as a way of maintaining the company's effectiveness in the international market.
This subsidiary is headquartered in Houston, USA, with 26 workers and facilitating the management of Sonangol ships in various parts of the world. "Being in Houston, considered the commercial center of oil, facilitates Sonangol's contact with both the operators and the vessels themselves", added the president.
In order to obtain greater operational efficiency, the company entered into a joint venture with the Swedish Stenna Bulk, in order to boost the commercial aspect. "Bulk is the commercial arm used by Sonangol Marine Service and also supports the activities of Sonangol Tradding and Shipping", explained the official, stating that the Swedes have a greater number of ships that can thus be used by the oil company. "We have more ships and managed to be geographically better positioned and the distribution of gains is made according to the performance of each ship", concluded João de Almeida.
