MRPL & Shell JV to enter Aviation Fuelling Business

Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) has informed that Shell Aviation and the Company on January 21, 2008, announced a landmark agreement to enter into an exclusive joint venture to market and supply aviation fuel, initially at two Indian airports, Bangalore and Hyderabad and later on at other Indian airports.

The Companies will provide complimentary services and strengths to the joint venture; The Company will bring its expertise & and supply of high quality products, and Shell Aviation will bring its global brand, network and customer base in addition to stringent quality control procedures. Together the Companies will offer a compelling co-branded global refueling offer to both the Indian and international airlines. The agreement will become effective early in 2008.

R S Sharma, Chairman, MRPL and C&MD, ONGC hailed the JV agreement as a major initiative by both Companies to cater to the growing Indian Aviation sector and will catalyse the marketing activities of MRPL.

P Rajamani, Managing Director, MRPL said, "Aviation Sector in India is growing at a frantic pace. MRPL has large production of international quality Aviation Fuel which can meet the rapidly growing Indian demand. The JV between MRPL and Shell in aviation field will offer the best quality standards and technical service to domestic and international airlines."

L K Gupta, Director (F) , MRPL said, "MRPL and Shell bring in significant value to the JV which will ultimately benefit the customers. This JV will also put MRPL on international level by supplying Aviation fuel in India to foreign airlines on one hand and on the other, by contracting fuel supply for Indian carriers when they fly abroad."