Energy giant Total Oil commissioned its new LPG unloading facility at New Mangalore Port Trust

Energy giant Total Oil India Private Limited (TOIPL) commissioned its new LPG unloading facility at Jetty # 13, New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT). The facility was inaugurated by Mr. Padma Charan Parida, Chairman NMPT in the presence of Mr. Vijay Kumar Balakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director, Total Oil India and Mr. Claude Le Damany, CEO, LPG Division, Total Oil India.

India currently imports almost 45% of its LPG requirement with most importation facilities operating at full capacity. Demand is continuing to grow rapidly due to better availability of LPG which is increasingly becoming a preferred fuel by both domestic and industrial users due its efficiency, economy and convenience of use.

Mangalore port is the only LPG importation facility in the south western coast of India and Total’s new unloading facility would greatly enhance the import capabilities of LPG at NMPT.

Currently Total Oil India has less than 1% market share as the market is dominated by national oil companies with subsidized LPG sold to domestic consumers. However thanks to a growing number of customers who are now opting to give up subsidy there is a better opportunity for TOIPL to grow their business.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Vijay Kumar highlighted the urgency for augmenting LPG import capability to keep up with the burgeoning demand.

He said, the unloading arrangements put up by TOIPL on VLGC capable Jetty#13 would go a long way in easing LPG supplies to South India in a cost effective way. He also thanked NMPT for providing world class jetty infrastructure at Mangalore and for their unstinted support which helped in the expeditious execution of the project.

Mr Claude Le Damany explained that the state-of-the art on-line blending system with extremely versatile unloading arms meant that Jetty#13 could handle LPG cargoes varying from 3000 MTs to 44,000 MTs. This would open up lot of shipping options for Total Oil India’s customers delivering real benefits and drive more traffic into NMPT, the preeminent port for LPG imports into South India.

Shri P.C. Parida, Chairman, New Mangalore Port Trust commented that the port is upgrading Fire Fighting system at Berth No.13 to handle VLGC. He added, that the Port has the capacity to handle around 3 million tons of LPG at present and the same could be increased, to meet the market requirements in future.

About Total Oil:

Total Oil India Pvt Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Total, SA France, is engaged in marketing of LPG, Lubricants, Bitumen and Special Fluids. The LPG Division of the company commenced its activities in India in 1998 and is engaged in the business of importation, storage and distribution of LPG under the brand name Totalgaz. Totalgaz is an acknowledged global leader in LPG technology and innovation and has its presence in 58 countries worldwide. In India, Totalgaz is a leading private marketer in Cylinder segment, Bulk Segment and is rapidly expanding its network of world class Auto LPG Dispensing Stations.