In Conversation
Taking
strategic
action
FUEL OIL NEWS RECENTLY VISITED
THE PORT OF BLYTH TO SEE THE GEOS
GROUP’S TERMINAL FIRST HAND.
SPECIALISTS IN MARINE GAS OIL SUPPLY
AND DISTRIBUTION, THE GROUP IS NOW
THE LARGEST INDEPENDENT MARINE
FUEL SUPPLIER IN THE UK
Keen to learn more about the company’s
Sea Bunkering’s trading origins, and to
discover what prompted the move into a
physical fuel supply, editor Jane Raphael met
with managing director Barry Newton and
commercial director Adrian Proctor, both based
at the company’s Henley-on-Thames head
offi ce.
Barry, who had previously worked with
Phillips 66, joined Sea Bunkering in the city of
Hull back in the 1990s with the emphasis fi rmly
on oil trading.
“In those pre-internet days selling marine
fuel literally meant driving to the port to ask if
anyone needed it! Whilst our fuel supply was
then sourced through a network of physical
suppliers,” explained Barry.
“The biggest change to this market has
been the internet which moved the industry
from local to global – going into physical
storage was an opportunity that we just had
to take.”
The Blyth terminal – wholly-owned by the
Geos Group – was opened in 2015 in a port
which had previously been without any fuel
provision. The project was led and managed
by Liz Winship who now works alongside the
terminal’s operations manager, Norman
Donaldson and three operatives.
“From a strategic point of view, it is best
that we control our own fuel stocks,” explained
Adrian.
“Having a physical footprint gives us far
better fl exibility to meet customer demand
and to be much more proactive on sales.
Additionally, many of our customers work in
environments where fuel is needed very quickly,
particularly if another energy source fails.”
Adrian Proctor (l) and Barry Newton at the Geos Group’s terminal in the Port of Blyth
Working in partnership
Partnerships are very important to the Geos
Group – for several years the company has
worked closely with energy logistics specialist,
Peterson (UK) which has tanks at sites in
Aberdeen, Lerwick, Heysham and Great
Yarmouth.
In addition to the above locations, Geos
also stores fuel at Montrose and Peterhead,
the latter being the largest fi shing port in
Europe for landing white fi sh. Presently being
revamped, the expectation is that much larger
fi shing vessels will use Peterhead in the future.
With its Humber refi nery well-positioned
on the east coast, Phillips 66 is the Geos
Group’s main fuel supplier. In January 2018
Geos also commenced marine deliveries for
Phillips 66, with fuel distributor partner Par
Petroleum undertaking road transportation.
“Loading at Blyth, Par’s drivers know the
contracts we’re working on and provide an
excellent interface with customers,” added
Adrian.
With respect to shipping, the company has
undertaken both short and long-term charters.
Geos now utilises the Thun Grace, a 5,800
tonnes capacity coastal tanker operated by
Thun Tankers which works across the east
coast. From Great Yarmouth fuel is also
delivered to the Thames and Shoreham.
“Being a big fi xed cost, it was a major
step to bring in a long-term vessel but the
carrying capacity of this vessel suits our
business, plus the crew are fantastic and very
proactive,” said Adrian.
Continued on page 12
Fuel Oil News | October 2018 11