West Indies Petroleum, Sunoco team up to boost Jamaica as Caribbean bunker fuel hub

Caribbean energy company West Indies Petroleum (WIP) recently announced a partnership with US energy infrastructure firm Sunoco to distribute marine fuel in the Caribbean through Jamaica. 

The partnership aims to position Jamaica to become a major marine fuel hub in the Caribbean region.

Charles Chambers, Chief Executive Officer, WIP, said: “This collaboration with Sunoco will dramatically enhance the WIP group of companies’ ability to serve vessels operating in Caribbean waters.

The partnership, which began on 1 January, is expected to address key challenges in the marine fuel market, particularly related to credit and supply chain operations.  

“Marine fuel transactions involve very large volumes and require significant credit capacity both from suppliers and for customers,” Chambers explained.  

“Sunoco’s scale and financial strength will allow us to offer more competitive terms to vessel operators, potentially attracting ships that currently fuel at other ports,” he continued.

Sunoco recently increased its Caribbean and Latin American presence through the acquisitions of Peerless in Puerto Rico and expanded their mid-stream and pipeline assets via the acquisition of NuStar Energy. The latter came with a bunker business in Houston which Sunoco has maintained and seeks to develop further.

Sunoco also brings substantial financial strength and operational expertise to the partnership.  The company is a leading operator of critical energy infrastructure in North America and is the continent’s largest independent fuel distributor of branded and unbranded fuel, distributing over 8.5 billion gallons annually across more than 40 states and the Caribbean. 

There are over 5,000 Sunoco stations across the United States and the company has been actively expanding its marine fuel operations.

WIP, which has operated in Jamaica’s marine fuel sector for over a decade, will leverage its local market knowledge and infrastructure while benefiting from Sunoco’s robust supply chain and credit capabilities.  The partnership transforms several of WIP’s current cost centres, such as tank storage services and vessel operations, into revenue generators.

The partnership is expected to significantly increase marine fuel sales volumes in Jamaica by establishing the country as a premier bunkering hub in the Caribbean, especially given its strategic location along several major shipping routes. This could have broader economic benefits, potentially increasing port activity and related services.

WIP also provides fuel import, export, distribution, retail, lubricants, and storage services. With storage in excess of 750,000 barrels, the company boasts the largest fuel bunker capabilities in Jamaica.

Photo credit: West Indies Petroleum
Published: 20 February, 2025