A strategy for Trinidad-Suriname logistics

Trinidad and Tobago

Dawayne Belcon, CEO of D.S. Belcon Limited, talks to The Energy Year about the role Trinidad and Tobago will continue to play for the regional energy industry and the company’s logistics strategy for operations between Trinidad and Suriname. D.S. Belcon provides port agency, project cargo handling and logistics services, and Customs brokerage.

What countries are you most active in currently?
Although our company is busy with onshore projects in Trinidad and Tobago, we continue to support ongoing drilling that is taking place offshore Suriname, with TotalEnergies and Apache, in the Sapakara and Krabdagu areas within Block 58. We have been very busy working with those two companies since 2020, providing all port and logistics support at shore bases situated at Chaguaramas, Trinidad. We receive and load, onto offshore supply vessels, vendors’ oilfield materials and equipment for transporting to drilling locations offshore Suriname.

How would you describe the importance of the role Trinidad and Tobago will continue to play for the regional energy industry?
Trinidad and Tobago will continue to play a significant role in the region since we have over 100 years’ experience as an oil and gas producing nation, with natural deepwater ports. Our long history, skilled workforce and distinct knowledge of the technology associated with oil and gas exploration, production and markets has placed us in a leading position to effectively support our regional partners in their drilling activities.

What logistics strategy have you implemented in your operations between Trinidad and Suriname?
In 2022, we established D.S. Belcon (Suriname) N.V., a port agency and oil and gas logistics company. Our Suriname office is strategically situated near Staatsolie and the main oil and gas shore base and port facility at Paramaribo. Our 100% local Suriname team consists of people experienced with port, maritime and oil and gas shore base operations. Together with our team of professionals in Trinidad and Tobago, our companies can now flawlessly provide integrated logistics support between Trinidad and Suriname.

What has been the nature of your activities in Guyana?
Our Guyana company, which goes under the banner of Lall-Belcon (Guyana) Inc., established in 2018, has been providing port agency and oil and gas logistics services mainly to SBM Offshore. Jointly with our Trinidad entity, we have provided port and logistics support to SBM for the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity and Prosperity FPSO mooring systems installation projects offshore Guyana.
In addition to this, our Customs Brokerage Department has been very busy with the Customs clearance and delivery of imported goods to local clients mainly in the construction sector, in support of the fast-growing Guyana economy.

How would you assess the likelihood of Trinidad and Tobago becoming a green fuel bunkering hub?
Trinidad and Tobago is a very experienced market for bunkering vessels and is well situated to become a green fuel bunkering hub. Its geographical position, which is east of the Panama Canal in a region where all vessels are being encouraged to change their fuel to green fuel, would allow the country to benefit immensely from vessels traversing through the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Paria.
Green fuel is presently available in Trinidad and Tobago, the country being the leading exporter of ammonia and methanol and having four LNG plants, seven methanol plants and 10 ammonia plants. Through the National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago, the government has already signalled its intention to make the country a green fuel bunkering hub and is expected to develop clean fuel bunkering facilities at the country’s natural deepwater ports to take advantage of the imminent opportunities.

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• Guyana
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago