Shell Bitumen, one of the world's leading bitumen suppliers, has inaugurated its new storage tank at the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza).

The tank, which has a total storage capacity of 8,000 metric tonnes, is one of the largest in the Jafza.

The introduction of the tank, which is equipped with the latest technical and HSE parameters according to local and international standards, has quadrupled 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.

The inauguration event took place in the free zone area and was attended by Shell’s global Bitumen Leadership Team and key officials from Jafza.

This new tank will support the manufacture of value added Polymer Modified Bitumen products such as Cariphalte bitumen, a proven technology that improves safety on the roads and reduces the risk of skidding, rutting, road cracking and ageing, said senior Shell officials.

Cariphalte technology is also used in the construction of airport pavements and F1 racetracks around the world.

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,' he noted.

Salma Hareb, CEO of Jafza and Economic Zones World said, '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. The opening of the new, larger storage tank in its Jafza facility, conforming to the best of industry standards, is a bold and ambitious step in that direction,' Hareb noted.

'As a valued member of the Jafza community Shell has our continued support in all their endeavours. I am sure the next few years will see the company achieving even greater growth,' she added.-TradeArabia News Service