Gulf News: Shell Bitumen inaugurates new facility at Jebel Ali Free Zone

(Dubai, United Arab Emirates 05/05/2009)

From: Gulf News - Staff Report
Date: May 5, 2009

Shell Bitumen recently inaugurated a new storage tank in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza).

This tank is one of the largest in Jafza with a total storage capacity of 8,000 metric tonnes. The inauguration took place in the free zone area and was attended by Shell's global Bitumen Leadership Team and key officials from Jafza.

The tank quadruples Shell's storage capacity for bitumen at Jafza. The tank will store cold bitumen and is connected to a hot oil unit that heats the bitumen before it is loaded onto trucks for transportation.

This new tank will support the manufacture of value added Polymer Modified Bitumen products that will improve safety on the roads and reduce the risk of skidding, rutting, road cracking and ageing. Melwyn D'Cunha, Shell's Bitumen Business Manager for the Middle East said, "Shell is the world's largest supplier of bitumen and we are delighted with our new facilities in Jebel Ali. As the need for more improved roads continues to rise, this investment will allow Shell to supply modern bitumen products across the Middle East."

"Shell is one of Jafza's oldest partners with whom we have had a long relationship based on common values. Like Jafza, Shell continually innovates to stay ahead of the curve. said Salma Hareb, CEO of Jafza and Economic Zones World.

She said Shell is committed to supporting the Jafza community and looks forward to growth in the coming years.