Shell Lubricants has launched a 550-ton bulk finished lubricants storage facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) in Dubai.

The commissioning of the facility earlier this month brings Shell Lubricants’ total bulk finished product storage up to 2,000 metric tons in the United Arab Emirates, including barge and third party storage.

Shell said the new facility will cater to growing local and regional demand for commercial lubricants as well as local and international demand for marine lubricants. “This includes engine oils, power generation oils, marine and hydraulic oils,” Tariq Zaman, Shell Lubricants’ supply network planning manager for Middle East and South Asia, told Lube Report. Shell had no previous bulk storage facility for finished products at its Jebel Ali depot in Dubai, according to Zaman. He added that, “the new facility is not related to the Pearl GTL project.”

“This investment highlights our commitment to ensuring high quality lubricants supply to our distributors in the local as well as regional markets,” said Amr Adel, general manager for Shell Lubricants Middle East, South Asia and East Asia. “The increased storage capacity substantially reduces lead times and improves supply continuity by maintaining stocks of all major lubricants grades.”

Ibrahim Al Janhi, Jafza’s chief commercial officer, said he was confident “Jafza’s efficient logistics base and related services will further facilitate Shell Lubricants’ expanded operations and business in the region.”

International business hub Jebel Ali Free Zone is built over an area of 48 square kilometers. It ranks among the world’s largest and fastest growing free trade zones. Jafza boasts a wide range of commercial incentives, from a 100 percent foreign ownership, zero corporate and income taxes for a period of 50 years, to exemption from local labor restrictions, full repatriation of profits and capital, and no foreign currency restrictions.