Mauritius to develop petrochemical facilities

Mauritius plans to build three new storage tanks and two pipelines to ensure petrol supplies on the island do not run out.

The State Trading Corporation believes this year will see about 1.2 million tonnes of white and black oil products imported onto the island but the government would be dependable on shuttle tankers to deliver the fuel if the new infrastructure is not built.

Currently the island’s facilities only allow for 30 days storage but because it takes 23 days to shift the petrochemicals from the export terminal to Port Louis, this is further reduced to only a seven day supply of petrol.

The Mauritian Parliament recently announced plans to build two 7,500 tonne petroleum storage tanks and one 10,000 tonne gas oil tank, as well as a control room, administrative offices and road loading bays.

The development is expected to cost about €18.56 million and will be financed by a government loan. The project is anticipated to take two years to build and the developers will shortly tender for project workers.

Minister of business, enterprise, commerce and consumer protection, Michael Yuen says: ‘Instead of adopting a piecemeal approach with segregated projects for storage tanks and pipelines and LPG, I am informed that STC has decided to opt for a holistic approach with the implementation of an integrated strategy for the next 30 years.’