Cutting-edge loading technology a feature of fast loading service in southeast Queensland
Viva Energy Australia officially opened of its new $18 million Pinkenba bulk lubricants terminal, claiming it as the country’s largest such facility with world-leading loading technology.
The terminal has a storage capacity of 3.2 million litres and can manage up to 30 lubricant grades, the company says.
Speaking at the opening of the facility in Brisbane’s north-east, Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt said the terminal took 36,000 man hours to complete, created more than 120 local construction jobs and is designed to be scalable and flexible according to customer needs.
“This is an exciting development for Viva Energy as we have the ability to adapt to increases in both the volume and type of lubricant products required by customers,” Wyatt says.
“The terminal stores the bulk lubricants in horizontal tanks and each loading gantry is automated – featuring dedicated pumps, piping and loading arms to protect product quality.
“In a world-first, the horizontal tanks are gravity loaded, rather than pumped in from the bottom of the tank, which increases operational efficiencies.
“The tanks also have the fastest loading rate in the Australian market.
“Our bulk lubricants terminal is complemented by a third party warehouse base, which is capable of processing more than 14,000 pallets of packaged lubricants annually.”
The Pinkenba facility forms part of its $1 billion investment across its supply, refining and retail businesses nationally.
“With the addition of the bulk lubricants capability, the Pinkenba terminal is strategically placed to service the fuel, bitumen and lubricant needs of commercial and retail customers throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales,” Wyatt says.
“As a licensee to the Shell brand we are proud to sell Shell lubricants as they are renowned for technologically advanced products, and for 10 years have been the world’s number one lubricants supplier.
“Our customers benefit directly from Shell’s research and development spend and we look forward to offering them this competitive advantage backed by Viva’s technical support service.”
Viva is the exclusive licensee to the Shell brand in Australia and was launched following the purchase of the Shell in Australia downstream business, excluding aviation.
In addition to its 920 plus service station network and its Geelong Refinery in Victoria, Viva Energy operates bulk fuels, bitumen, marine, chemicals and lubricants businesses supported by more than 20 storage terminals across the country.