RUBIS Suriname is the energy company’s newest operation in the region.
The state-of-the-art terminal was completed at a cost of US$12.4 million and was built in a speedy time of fourteen months. Features of the facility include: storage capacity of 90,000 barrels in three storage tanks with provision made for a fourth tank of 40,000 barrels for future expansion; three loading rack positions with provision for a fourth; one high-tech office with conference room facilities; a concrete jetty to accommodate fueling and discharging of ships on the Suriname River; and a fire protection system, compliant with international standards (NFPA), comprising of sprinklers at the loading rack, monitors and foam chambers for tanks and monitors at the jetty.
The official launch took place on November 21, 2019 at the new RUBIS terminal and the 120 guests included Government officials and key members of TeamRUBIS, including Christian Cochet – CEO Rubis Energie France. During his address, Mauricio Nicholls, CEO RUBIS Caribbean explained that in addition to Suriname being an attractive market with a strong economy and growing fuel consumption, it was also a perfect fit for expansion geographically, as it sits between Guyana and French Guyana, where the company already has substantial operations.
Mr. Nicholls thanked the Government of Suriname and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the Hon. Stephen Tsang who was in attendance, for their warm welcome and facilitation of the building of the terminal and the commencement of fuel sales. He advised that the company’s primary goal was to offer a new and better option for the Surinamese consumer and share a unique corporate culture in which each employee is fully engaged and committed. He said,” The RUBIS culture is one which cares deeply about the communities in which we operate and engages with them to foster their development.” He added, “We hope to soon bring our RUBIS brand to offer the motoring public the pleasant experience of fueling their vehicles at a RUBIS branded service station.” Mr. Nicholls confirmed that RUBIS will complete, at their own expense, renovations on the Putcherweg Road, which leads to the terminal, by year end.
RUBIS has partnered with fuel distributor Roy Boedhoe, CEO RBE Enterprises. This business partnership will see RBE distribute RUBIS Ultra Tec gasoline and Ultra Low Sulphur diesel to RBE service stations, commercial and industrial customers. Mr. Nicholls thanked Mr. Boedhoe and his family “for believing in RUBIS and for giving us the opportunity to partner with them to supply their needs.”
