We will significantly contribute to ensuring continuity, security and optimization of the strategic energy supply chain
Mitan Oil operates under the Swiss joint-stock company Mitan Holding AG, and the company’s activities are focused on storage, wholesale and retail of liquid petroleum products, i.e. the provision of port services. In her interview for Diplomacy&Commerce magazine, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Marjana Vuković Kužet, talks about the company facing the challenges imposed by the pandemic, but also about innovations it has implemented.
How did Mitan Oil deal with the consequences of the pandemic?
In the last two years, like all companies, we have been facing difficulties in planning and implementing activities during the global pandemic. The biggest challenge for us was to ensure the continuity of business operations, especially bearing in mind that we are engaged in activities of strategic importance and that we provide services 24/7. Due to the nature of our business, over 80% of our employees can’t work remotely as they are highly specialized. I believe that the corporate culture, which is based on the principles of workplace health and safety as fundamental values, has helped us a lot in overcoming the aggravating circumstances.
We are proud of the fact that, despite the COVID-induced crisis, we have managed to implement three important investment projects, which we believe will have long-term significance for our business in the future.
Despite the COVID-induced crisis, we have managed to implement three important investment projects, which we believe will have long-term significance for our business in the future.
How have you improved goods handling processes?
We have finalized the construction of the industrial track that connects our terminal for storage and handling of oil derivatives in Smederevo with the railway infrastructure, to help our partners to receive and ship goods by rail. Since we also receive goods by river or road, along with the third handling modality which is rail, we will significantly contribute to ensuring continuity, security and optimization of the supply chain of strategic energy sources.
Mitan Oil is also a port operator that does business at an international port.
In addition to the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), Mitan Oil has the only oil terminal licensed to provide port services at the international port. In the previous two years, we have invested 2.2 million euros in the port area. In addition to infrastructure investments, we have implemented several security measures and hired trained staff, to receive goods on the Danube following international ADN regulations and all measures that SEVESO plants must comply with.
Have you made new investments in the field of environmental protection?
Yes, VRU units have been installed and commissioned at the Terminal. This is a facility that, during reloading, performs the recovery of gasoline vapours in the gas phase and their return to the storage tank. In this way, harmful vapours are prevented from contaminating the atmosphere, which we consider an important environmental measure to preserve air quality.
We believe that 2022 will be even more successful for us and we are ready for new projects and new strategic partnerships.
