Port of Salvador - Bunker One and Acelen expand with yet another new operation

Bunker One, one of the world’s leaders in physical bunker supply, and Acelen, the largest bunker producer in Brazil, will begin their third joint bunkering operation this April. The operation, based at the Port of Salvador (Bahia, Brazil), in the Bay of Todos os Santos, strengthens the strategic partnership between the two companies, who already collaborate in Itaqui and the outer anchorage of Sepetiba (Rio de Janeiro).

This time, Acelen’s VLSFO and LS MGO 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 leading 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 emphasises.

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. Efficient bunkering operations are critical for Brazil’s cabotage navigation, ensuring the continuous flow of goods between domestic ports. This reduces maritime transport costs, enhances competitiveness compared to other modes of transport, and has a deflationary effect on the prices of transported goods. In this way, the maritime sector continues to play a vital role as a pillar for logistics integration and economic development in Brazil.

About Acelen Acelen is an energy company created by Mubadala Capital with the mission of becoming a key player in the global energy transition. In just three years of operation in Bahia, following the takeover of the Mataripe Refinery, Acelen has implemented the most extensive modernisation program in the refinery’s history, focusing on safety and automation. This has led to increased reliability, efficiency, capacity, and product diversification while also improving environmental, water, and energy efficiency metrics. Reinforcing its environmental commitment, in July 2024, Acelen announced a joint venture to build a 161MW solar complex in the semi-arid region of Bahia. The company is currently developing Brazil’s largest renewable fuel project for the production of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) and HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) derived from the macaúba plant. Learn more at https://www.acelenrenovaveis.com.br/

About Bunker One Bunker One is a subsidiary of the Danish group Bunker Holding, the global leader in the supply of marine fuels. With over 60 offices in 32 countries, Bunker Holding operates as a physical supplier through Bunker One. In Brazil, the company is the sole supplier of marine fuels, with complete control over its supply chain, offering local expertise and global coverage. Learn more: https://bunkerone.com/

Contact: Office: +55 21 3550 1280 Main e-mail: rio@bunkerone.com

Filippe Fernandez Mobile: +55 21 98102 7888 E-mail: llf@bunkerone.com