Puma Energy: The leading supplier of aviation fuels in Tanzania

There are many things that hap­pen behind the scenes before a plane takes off, flying high over the clouds, and finally landing safely.

Pilots can’t help it if the plane still uses substandard fuels contrary to the required global standards, which would endanger passengers, cargo and pilot onboard.

It is possible that plane crash inci­dents triggered by the use of subpar fuels are lowly reported compared to those related to recklessness or bad weather.

But is it worth talking about plane crashes when we already have an avi­ation service provider, who assures local and international airlines of the unrivalled, quality and safe aviation service within the country?

We are talking about Puma Ener­gy, which has distinguished itself for the supply and storage of jet A-1 and Avgas fuel with international stand­ards and quality in the country.

The company, which is the oldest in the country, had acquired 50 stakes of BP Company which was in partner­ship with the Government, while the other half went to the Government.

This company started its opera­tions in Tanzania in 2011.

Puma is the largest investor in the storages, distribution and operations of aviation fuel services in the coun­try.

Puma Energy Tanzania Aviation Operations Manager Benjamin Masi­ge has said that the company imports jet A-1 fuel through the Government’s importation Agency (PBPA) similar to other suppliers in the sector.

He said the company has a large storage facility in Dar es Salaam to store and distribute jet A-1 fuel.

“We can transport fuel using special vehicles (bridgers) from our Kurasini Marine Terminal storage to Julius Nyerere International Airport and other places we supply include KIA, Mwanza, Tabora, Dodoma, Songwe, Arusha and Zanzibar airports.”

Speaking of handling such a prod­uct, Mr Masige said that aviation business needs huge investments in equipment (refueller and hydrant dispensers), skilled individuals, pro­fessional and ethical workforce to handle aviation business in required standards.

This is not everyone’s business, owing to its huge demands, risks and stringent handling and scrutinized processes.

“It is a job that requires stringent measures when receiving, storing and distributing aviation fuels,” add­ed Mr Masige.

Transporting the aviation fuels from one means to another must comply with standards set by the Joint Inspection Group (JIG).

He said that JIG is the global organization for the development of the aviation fuel supply standards throughout the supply chain of avia­tion fuel in the world.

JIG is not the only one that inspects Puma’s activities, IATA Fuel Quality Pool (IFQP) is another global organ­ization that oversees the interests of all airlines under IATA.

He said that IFQP has the respon­sibility to review, inspect and audit all aviation fuel supplying companies involved in the operation of aviation fuel services at the international air­ports.

“There are over 300 airlines sub­scribed services from IFQP. For example, when Delta Airlines wants to fly to Tanzania on her maiden flight, it does not need to send some­one to Dar es Salaam to search for a service provider, they will enter the IQFP portal and see the aviation service providers at the intended air­port.”

At local level, Puma Energy has a business licence from the ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade and accreditations from the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) for airports in mainland, KADCO (Kilimanjaro) and ZAA (Zanzibar) and the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA).

Jet fuel

He said that jet fuel is refined from crude fossil fuels, including many other types or grades of petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, kero­sene, gas, and bitumen.

He added that jet fuel has specific chemical and physical characteris­tics and its handling procedures is so stringent to ensure its supplied dry, clear and bright.

Only stringent handling can help the fuel keep its shape and perfor­mance as any wrong to maintain its specific spec would result in its adverse effects on engine function­ality.

“Why the highest level of stringent handling is needed because of the safety and performance of the air­craft engines, as we know that once the plane takes off, it does not have parking in the sky until it lands, so you should not affect it in any way,” he says.

Companies served

Mr Masige said Puma Ener­gy serves global, local and regional airlines that do fly in Tanzania. The services offered are the same for all companies.

Responding to a question about the volumes of jet fuel uplift, Mr Masige said planes vary in volume of fuel depending on the length of the journey and the size and type of the aircraft, but the actual volume for an empty plane, some take up to 1,000 to 180,000 liters of fuel, depending also on the type of aircraft.

Success

Hinting on milestones reached, Mr Masige said that the company has several things it sees as success in its entire jet fuel business.

First, he said their reliable and competitive fuel supply ability is to supply aviation fuel,

Second, he said it is a strong net­work where you operate, and third, it is take digital lead and ensure the aircraft is fueled on time, noting that these have been their corner stone value to their customers.

The company is present in many airports, which means it is a reliable company in the aviation fuel service.

The company takes huge pride in shifting to digital lead. He said they are getting rid of papers by using dig­ital devices (tablets) to fuel aircrafts, which is also part of pushing the glob­al green agenda.

Precision Air crash lesson

He did not comment on the acci­dent and instead, he said the firm takes the incident as a lesson to dou­ble its safety practices compliance across its aviation operation.

“The accident is not an event that we wish for or like, but it is a lesson in ensuring the safety of the aircraft we supply fuel to.”

He also said they will continue to ensure that they work according to the requirements of the global and local regulators and thus being trust­ed in the market.

Relationship with the Government

Mr Masige admits that the compa­ny has continued to operate its busi­ness ethically and legally to ensure they pay duties and taxes to the Gov­ernment.

“We also pay dividends to the Gov­ernment as part of its investment in the company.”

He added that they usually pay skills development levies and many others which upon their collection, they help improve the sector.

Corporate social investment

Engaging in corporate social agen­da has never been a hard nut to crack for Puma, as Mr Masige noted that the company has been participating in a campaign to improve road safety education in collaboration with the Police Force in the country.

Also, the company has been run­ning a program to promote awareness among students of various schools related to road safety education.

Remarks

He said they thank all their cus­tomers for enabling them to get there and wishing them well in their future business.