French oil and gas company Total has signed a deal with Chinese state-owned Zhejiang Energy Group (ZEG) to create a joint venture company to supply and delivery marine fuels in the Chinese region of Zhoushan.
Total China Investment (TCI) will hold a 49% share in the new company while Zhejiang Zheneng Petroleum New Energy (ZZPNE) will hold the remaining.
Zhoushan region covers both Ningbo and Shanghai ports, the busiest shipping hub in the world in terms of cargo tonnage.
By combining ZEG’s historical anchoring in the energy business in the region and Total’s longstanding expertise in the trading and marketing of international bunkers, the new company aims to actively contribute to the development of this fast growing market.
“This new partnership is fully aligned with our strategy to support and supply our shipping customers wherever they go.” declared Philippe Charleux, Senior Vice-President Lubricants & Specialties of Total. “Providing them with low sulfur fuels fully compliant with IMO regulation in China will further contribute to the transition towards a sustainable shipping industry.”
The creation of the new company ensures the continuity of Total’s business development strategy initiated almost 40 years ago in China. The Group was the first international energy company to enter China’s offshore oil and gas exploration and refining business.