The port of Dartmouth is fast becoming a popular port destination of choice for bunkering for commercial vessels, due to its resident fuel barge convenience and the expert guidance and support of the Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority.
This sheltered port, conveniently located on the Western Approaches to the English Channel, facilitated the delivery of nearly 100,000 litres of fuel to six visiting ships, including superyachts, Royal Navy vessels and the Paddle Steamer Waverley over one week in August.
Dartmouth is well located for a bunker call – the 90m³ capacity bunker barge ‘Dart Crusader’ is constantly moored in the port ready for ship-to-ship transfer. Run by Yeowards Marine Fuels, it supplies SOLAS-compliant marine gas oil MGO fuel used by workboats and commercial ships at competitive duty-free prices.
Dartmouth is unusual in the region in having a barge of this type, able to refuel vessels on mid-river buoys or at the quays and pontoons. Berthing for ships of up to 200m in length is available at short notice.
Paul Britton, Harbourmaster and CEO of Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority, said: “Dartmouth has a long history as a bunker port, dating back to the Victorian era, and we are very happy to work with our partners at Yeowards to continue providing high-quality marine fuels to ships of all types.
“We are a small but friendly and very flexible port and are happy to co-ordinate all arrangements for a successful call.”
