Construction progress at jet fuel farm complex inspected

Manama, Jan. 20 (BNA): Minister of Oil Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Eng. Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed hailed the on schedule progress of construction work at Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA) new fuel farm complex during an inspection visit to the site. The ministers were briefed on the latest milestones of the project, which was launched in mid-2017, in the presence of BAC Jet Fuel Company (BJFCO) board members, and representatives from Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), engineering consultants Mott Macdonald, and main contractor Amana Pipeline Construction. The strategic project, an important component of the Airport Modernisation Programme, will reinforce Bahrain’s position as a centre of aviation fuel services in the GCC region and contribute to national economic growth in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. BJFCO, established as a joint venture company between BAC and the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) in April 2016, is currently developing the complex in the north east area of the airport in line with directives from Bahrain’s leadership to relocate the airport’s fuel tanks from Arad. Following a tour of the site, BJFCO Chairman, Eng. Abdul Majeed Al Qassab briefed the ministers and their accompanying delegation on the project’s completed and upcoming stages. BJFCO, a joint venture company between BAC and the National Oil and Gas Authority, will be responsible for the facility’s management and operation, as per directives from Bahrain’s leadership. The ministers stressed the importance of finishing the complex by Q3 this year, while maintaining the highest levels of quality to achieve the project’s objectives. They also noted the milestone achievement of 1 million man hours without lost time accidents. The Minister of Oil praised NOGA’s vision to support pioneering projects aimed at achieving a number of tangible and qualitative goals, including improving efficiency and the expansion of aviation fuel operations and services. He also stressed the importance of completing the construction of the complex of aircraft fuel depots in a timely manner in accordance with the highest specifications and standards, and utilising the highest level of skill, knowledge and competency.” The Minister of Transportation said: “The fuel farm complex is an important component of plans to restructure the aviation sector in the Kingdom and will play a key role in streamlining the aviation fuel supply, operation, and maintenance process at the airport. It is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the Kingdom and is aimed at stimulating sustainable economic growth and diversifying revenue streams in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. There are currently 38 airlines operating out of BIA and we expect this number to grow. The fuel farm, which is being built according to the highest international standards, will enable us to support the increased activity. The minister added: “The objectives of the restructuring are to create a more competitive environment in the aviation fuel sector and to meet the needs of airlines more effectively. This is why BAC plans to appoint a fourth jet fuel distributor alongside the three existing distributors - Bapco, Chevron, and British Petroleum and a second into-plane operator at BIA in addition to BAFCO.” Housing three aviation fuel tanks with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters each, the fuel farm complex covers 77,000 sqm, in addition to its dedicated operational buildings. It is equipped with state-of-the-art safety and security features and the latest aviation product handling technologies. It will supply aircraft with fuel through 20 and 18-inch pipelines located below the airport runway.