(EnergyAsia, May 2 2014, Friday) — Caltex said it has raised South Australia state’s fuel storage capacity by 50% with the start-up of an 85-million-litre terminal at Pelican Point in Adelaide.

There are plans to add 135 million litres of new capacity at a later date.

The A$100 million terminal is designed to accommodate ships up to 300 metres long and 80,000 deadweight tonnes in weight to hold up to 105 million litres of fuel. Two pipelines linking the berth to the terminal has the capacity to deliver 2.6 million litres of fuel per hour. (US$1=A$1.05).

Caltex, through its 25-year lease with the facility’s owner, Terminals Pty Ltd, will help meet the state’s growing demand for gasoline, diesel and biodiesel.

Its opening earlier this week was attended by South Australian Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis and Andrew Brewer, Caltex Australia’s general manager for supply chain.

“More than 900 people were employed and 32 contracts issued to finish this project, which is a clear demonstration of Caltex’s commitment to improving fuel supply reliability not just for South Australia but for all our customers right across the nation,” Mr Brewer said.

“This investment adds significant new storage to the Adelaide fuel supply chain and the deeper berthing facilities we need to accommodate larger ships.

“Storage and shipping capacity constraints have contributed to a number of fuel shortages across Adelaide and South Australia over recent years, especially following weather-related disruptions to shipping movements into Port Adelaide.