WIN Group, the Haitian enterprise that owns and operates Terminal Varreux in Port-au-Prince, and SEACOR Holdings Inc announced that emergency repairs have enabled crucial tanker shipments of fuel to resume to Haiti.
Restoration of Terminal Varreux’s marine operations included installation of an interim vessel mooring system, repair and testing of critical piping systems, and revision of terminal operating procedures. Additional emergency construction at Terminal Varreux is also providing the capability to receive containerized cargoes, furthering recovery efforts.
The first tanker began discharging its initial load of fuel at the restored berth February 5. The shipment was completed in the early morning hours February 7, and the vessel has departed from the terminal.
“We are all taking a deep breath now that the fuel supply to Haiti has been restored,” said Youri Mevs, managing partner of WIN Group. “Without fuel, the recovery effort is clearly paralyzed. We commend SEACOR for mobilizing so quickly to address this dire situation, as well as WIN Group’s staff in Port-Au-Prince. They all worked around the clock through very challenging circumstances. As a result, Terminal Varreux will continue its role as a key element of Haiti’s long-term recovery efforts.”
Terminal Varreux is five miles from the epicenter of the devastating January 12 earthquake. It suffered damage to its piers and facilities, but the bulk of the port’s 18 storage tanks were undamaged. Terminal Varreux’s tanks have a total capacity of approximately 45 million gallons.
SEACOR provided a team of experts along with helicopter and marine resources from its subsidiaries O’Brien’s Response Management, National Response Corporation (both units of SEACOR Environmental Services), and Era Helicopters.