Bunker One and Acelen to begin third joint bunkering operation in Salvador

Bunker One and Brazil’s bunker producer Acelen on Wednesday (2 April) said they will expand their strategic partnership with a new bunkering operation at the Port of Salvador in Northeast Brazil. 

The companies will begin their third joint bunkering operation this April. The operation will strengthen the strategic partnership between the two companies, who already collaborate in Itaqui and the outer anchorage of Sepetiba in Rio de Janeiro.

This time, Acelen’s VLSFO and LSMGO will be supplied to vessels both at the inner anchorage and alongside the port, using barges rather than tankers. 

The operation will leverage Bunker One’s global presence, commercial expertise, and market position, combined with the operational knowledge of its own shipping company, Nova Offshore, which specialises in this type of service.

The joint operation between Bunker One and Acelen at the Port of Salvador further consolidates their presence in the bunker market, expanding the reach and solidifying a prominent position along South America’s Atlantic coast. 

“From a strategic perspective, this new operation reinforces Bunker One’s position as a global leader. With a reputation for efficiency and reliability, we are proud to serve export and import chains, coastal shipping (cabotage), and the seasonal cruise market with excellence — positioning ourselves as a benchmark in marine fuel supply, from commercial negotiations to the bunkering operation,” said Flavio Ribeiro, Managing Director of Bunker One for Brazil and Latin America.

The new operation is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of vessels, including cruise ships during the summer season, oil tankers, bulk carriers, container vessels, general cargo ships, and offshore support vessels. This highlights the positive impact of the partnership on improving logistics efficiency and the competitiveness of global trade routes.

According to Cristiano da Costa, Vice President of Commercial, Trading, and Shipping at Acelen, this partnership is a key strategic move that strengthens the company’s presence in the region, where it manages the Mataripe Refinery. 

“This significant expansion of our partnership will ensure consistent supply and further elevate the quality of our customer service — all in the state of Bahia, our home, where our story in Brazil began,” he emphasised.

The partnership is expected to generate substantial annual bunker fuel sales, with operations in Salvador expected to boost joint commercial activity between Bunker One and Acelen. 

Additionally, Bunker One foresees that this new operation will contribute to a notable increase in its overall business volume in the country. 

Related: Acelen, Bunker One launch physical bunker fuel supply in Sepetiba outer anchorage
Related: Brazil: Bunker One and Acelen partner to launch bunkering operation outside Port of Itaqui
Related: Bunker One and Acelen complete bunkering for over 100 ships in São Marcos Bay

Photo credit: Bunker One
Published: 3 April, 2025