Petrojam's docking operations to be improved

Further improvements are to be made to Petrojam's docking operations following the approval of a contract by Cabinet.

A US$1.6 million contract has been awarded to EMCO Wheaton for the provision of nine marine loading arms for the oil refinery's docking facility.

Speaking at Wednesday's post Cabinet press briefing Information Minister, Daryl Vaz, said the procurement of the loading arms is one of the critical tasks associated with the rehabilitation of Petrojam’s main dock.

A marine loading arm is a device consisting of articulated steel pipes that connect an oil tanker or chemical transporter, to a cargo terminal.

It is an alternative to direct hose hookups, that is particularly useful for larger vessels and transfers at higher rates and pressures.

Controlled manually or hydraulically, a loading arm employs swivel joints and can, to some extent, follow the movement of a moored vessel.

The contract was recommended by the National Contracts Commission and the Infrastructure Sub-committee.