Strategically located along one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors connecting Asia, Africa, and South America, Port Louis Harbour (PLH) is ideally positioned to serve the growing global bunkering market. The harbour has experienced a steady increase in bunker fuel supply operations, supporting vessels navigating the major east-west shipping routes across the Indian Ocean.

A Competitive & Liberalised Bunker Market

In 2014, Mauritius introduced major reforms to liberalise the bunkering sector and enhance the competitiveness of the Mauritian bunker market. The government implemented a series of incentives aimed at facilitating bunker operations, reducing operational costs, and streamlining licensing and import procedures.

Strategically located along one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors connecting Asia, Africa, and South America, Port Louis Harbour (PLH) is ideally positioned to serve the growing global bunkering market. The harbour has experienced a steady increase in bunker fuel supply operations, supporting vessels navigating the major east-west shipping routes across the Indian Ocean.

A Competitive & Liberalised Bunker Market

In 2014, Mauritius introduced major reforms to liberalise the bunkering sector and enhance the competitiveness of the Mauritian bunker market. The government implemented a series of incentives aimed at facilitating bunker operations, reducing operational costs, and streamlining licensing and import procedures.

The following initiatives were implemented to support the development of the bunkering industry:

  • Transition from State Trading Corporation imports to direct imports by bunker suppliers and oil companies as from 1 January 2014
  • Removal of the MID levy on bunker fuel as from 1 July 2015
  • Extension of excise duty and VAT exemptions on bunker fuel consumed within port limits by bunker barges
  • Discounted port charges including port dues and anchorage fees

Authorisation for ship-to-ship cargo transfers to replenish bunker barges.

Reliable Year-Round Bunkering Operations

Bunkering services at Port Louis Harbour are available throughout the year and are provided by both local and international operators. Currently, eight bunker suppliers operate within the port, while six bunker barges provide fuel supply services to vessels calling at Port Louis. Bunkering operations are carried out efficiently within port limits, both at berth and at anchorage, using shore storage facilities, pipelines, bowsers and dedicated bunker barges to ensure reliable and seamless fuel delivery services.

Types of Bunker Fuels Available

The main bunker fuels supplied at the port include:

  • Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO)
  • High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO)
  • Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO)

The particulars of bunker barges, bunker suppliers and grade of bunker fuels are listed in the table below.

SN Bunker Supplier Bunker Fuels Available Mode of supply Area of operation Bunker Barge LOA (metres) Capacity of cargo tanks (m3)
1 Bunker One (Mauritius) Ltd VLSFO, HSFO, LSMGO Barge At berth & anchorage Tulip 148 17,630
2 Engen Petroleum (Mauritius) Ltd VLSFO, LSMGO

LSMGO

 Barge

Pipeline

 At berth & anchorage

At berth – Quay A/D/E

 Elise 49.9 741
3 Peninsula Petroleum (Mauritius) Ltd VLSFO, HSFO, LSMGO Barge At berth & anchorage Splendour 138.5 21,316
4 Stonewin (Mauritius) Ltd VLSFO, HSFO, MGO Barge At berth & anchorage Verde 93 6,798
5 TFG-GRM Ltd VLSFO, HSFO Barge At berth & anchorage Hakkasan 119.02 11,259
6 IndianOil (Mauritius) Ltd VLSFO, LSMGO, Pipeline At berth only – Quay 1-4, Oil Jetty – – –
7 Vivo Energy (Mauritius) Ltd LSMGO Pipeline At berth only – Quay A/D/E, 1-4, FDM, MFD – – –
8 WD Associates MGO, VLSFO Barge At berth & anchorage Rhine 102 6,500