Maxum Petroleum, Inc. announced on Tuesday that it has signed a letter of intent with Global Marine Transportation, Inc. to charter two new barges.

The deal will be for two new, 10,000-barrel, US-flag, OPA 90-compliant, double hull ABS Oceans tank barges.

"We are pleased to have signed this letter of intent with Global Marine Transportation as an important step in modernizing Maxum Petroleum’s marine delivery capabilities,” said Chuck McDaniel, President of Maxum Petroleum’s Marine division.

The first tank barge is scheduled for delivery in June 2010 and will be deployed in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The second barge scheduled for delivery in July 2010 will be deployed in Seattle, according to the company.

"These new OPA 90-compliant barges will allow Maxum Petroleum to continue providing our customers with the high quality service they have come to expect from us for years to come," McDaniel said.

The company, which is based in Greenwich, Connecticut, owns General Petroleum in LA/Long Beach and Rainier Petroleum in Seattle.

Both bunkering companies are specialist providers of distillate bunker grades, notably low-sulphur marine gasoil (MGO).