BITUMEN POLE: New bitumen vessel under construction

Rubis Asphalt Middle East has launched the construction of a new bitumen vessel with a capacity of 15,000 DWT, called the BITU RIVER.

September 2020

The BITU RIVER will be designed by FKAB Marine Design, built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Yangzhou) Dingheng Co. Ltd and classified by RINA.

The shipbuilding contract was signed in July 2020 and delivery is planned for mid-2022.

The bitumen can carry 15,000 tonnes of bitumen. It is a bitumen specially designed for the shallow waters of the Gulf of Guinea, and in particular, the rivers of Nigeria.

It will be equipped with an electric diesel drive, driving 2 360° omnidirectional thrusters for better handling.

The vessel will have fully insulated bitumen tanks, with bitumen to be maintained at a temperature of 140 to 150°C.

This new vessel construction will complement our bitumen fleet and help consolidate our position as the leading bitumen supplier in Africa.