(Ecofin Agency) - RUBIS, international independent operator specialised in the downstream chemical and oil sector, dealing in industrial liquids storage, announced on 6 October having won the bid to take over Total’s assets and business in Djibouti.

It is a new development that allows RUBIS "to take control of the leading distributor of petroleum products in the country, with a presence in all compartments in the sector", specified the leading independent operator in France in the storage of liquid products.

RUBIS cites in this sense its presence in the gas stations network, aviation, commercial, marine and lubricants, representing a total annual volume of more than 100,000 m3.

According to this French group, Djibouti is located strategically at the mouth of the Red Sea, on the Horn of Africa, and has a natural advantage which makes it the principal, if not the only, maritime access to Ethiopia, a country that is growing very fast.

RUBIS says it is a "unique position" that will open prospects for future developments, notably in warehousing logistics or distribution of petroleum products, to this neighbouring country as well as export for the storage part.