Petroleum tankers inspected during last year numbered 313, against 387 in 2007 in Bahrain. The average monthly number of tankers inspected was 26 compared to 32.

The volume of petroleum shipments loaded on these tankers and exported from Bahrain to other Arab, Asian, African and Europeon Union countries and the US was 9.151 million metric tonnes, against 10.259m metric tonnes in 2007.

The shipments contained five products - naphtha, petrol, kerosene, diesel and fuel oil. The average charges of oil tanker inspections generated by National Oil and Gas Authority is in the region fo BD350,000 per year.

These charges are for inspection of the tanker's storage facilities before and after loading to ensure proper and safe shipment and extent of compliance of exports with quality and quantity specifications as well as preparation of technical reports.

Inspection of tankers is overseen by the Oil Tanker Inspection Unit, members of which are all qualified Bahrainis.-TradeArabia News Service