THE BEGINNING
The South African refineries landscape has changed with the closure of Astron refinery in Cape Town and Engen refinery in Durban. As a result, bitumen demand surpass the local production capabilities and imports are now required. RUBIS ASPHALT made a landmark beginning in South Africa at Durban when on 13th September 2021, the ‘VIVEKA’ berthed at Maydon Wharf, Durban. This RUBIS Bitumen delivery is also the first delivery of imported Bulk Bitumen into Durban port in almost a decade.
THE STORY
Following a nearly six-month period of extensive negotiations and engagements with customers and all other stakeholders, RUBIS delivered this first shipment of nearly 8900 Metric Tons of Bitumen comprising 3 different Grades (35/50, 50/70 and 70/100) into Durban and Cape Town. This is the largest shipment of bitumen ever imported in South Africa.
LOGISTICS & OPERATION
This shipment together with setting up a dedicated unloading facility and permanent bitumen storage facility has seen RUBIS ASPHALT establish their presence in this great land of explorers. After the successful discharge in Durban, the Viveka headed to Cape Town. In the late hours on Friday 24th September, the Viveka berthed in Cape Town and commenced discharge soon after. Most of the sales were done directly from the ship gantry, and we kept safety stock in Cape Town in our own bitu-containers to ensure supply reliability to our customers.
THE TEAM
In Durban & Cape Town, we were extremely fortunate for and thank Manga Tidiane of ERES SENEGAL, Brad Coucom of BRS Group and all RUBIS ASPHALT Team members for their excellent Service & Efforts to ensure smooth and efficient cargo discharge operations with the highest compliance to the RUBIS QHSE code.
The RUBIS ASPHALT team received excellent reviews from customers and service providers alike and are already planning the next shipment in November 2021.
“If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also Roads that lead to their Goal……………” Nelson Mandela
