Greek 2023 bitumen exports to surpass 1mn t in October

Bitumen exports from Greek export points at Agio Theodori and Aspropyrgos this year are on course to exceed 1mn t before the end of October, having already surpassed full-year exports for 2021 and 2022.

The vast majority of bitumen exported from Greece comes from Agio Theodori and is produced at Greek refiner Motor Oil Hellas' Corinth plant (see graph). Bitumen exports from the port have stepped up in recent months, which could be linked to an upgrade and expansion of one of the refinery's crude units in May-July. The upgrade has increased the refinery's nameplate capacity, with crude imports to the plant exceeding 205,000 b/d in September compared with 180,000 b/d in August.

Greek bitumen has been exported to buyers in the Mediterranean region, northwest Europe, across the Atlantic to the US and South America as well as to Nigeria and South Africa throughout this year.

By Tom Woodlock

Greek bitumen exports (t) t