Captain Phil Julian, marine operations manager (UK) for the Miami-based bunkering company World Fuel Services (WFS) has retired after 27 years working in the business.

Phil had the often onerous task of ensuring the port’s bunkering operation ran smoothly. This involved vetting bunkering tankers on charter, day-to-day problems associated with crewing, terminal operations and liaising with ship masters.

Along with his colleague Paul Denmead, UK terminal operations director for WFS both men have been instrumental in maintaining Falmouth’s reputation within the bunker world.

Falmouth Petroleum Limited (FPL) , a subsidiary of WFS, is engaged in bunker servicing and supply of marine fuels and lubricants. A privately owned bunker service company FPL is billed as the UK’s number one offshore Marine Oil Terminal for fuel oil and marine diesel.

During the past three decades Phil has witnessed mammoth changes in the bunkering world none more so than the introduction of the Channel SECA area in 2007 when Falmouth enjoyed a bunkering bonanza as ships were forced to burn low sulphur fuel oil when passing the five degrees west longitude on entering the Channel.

Falmouth harbour commissioners chief executive and harbour master Captain Mark Sansom said: "Phil has made an outstanding contribution to the Port over his long career managing bunker services here. His calm professionalism has helped ensure that thousands of vessels have been able to safely and efficiently take bunkers whilst at anchor in the Port and that any problems that did arise were quickly and effectively dealt with."

Phil’s professional contribution to the various port committees he has served on and expertise in oil pollution prevention has been immense.

Educated at Falmouth Grammar School Phil first went to sea in 1968 after attending the Warsash nautical college. His first ship was Trident Tankers Ottawa, one of the largest ships ever to dry-dock in Falmouth. Phil branched out from his tanker career working for Sir William Reardon Smith, worldwide tramping and on Ellerman Line container ships for 11 years.

A short period working for the ferry company Townsend Thorensen proved difficult for everyone in the company, in the wake of the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster in March 1987

Late 1987 Phil worked on the Falmouth Towage Company tugs for several weeks before joining Falmouth Oil Services (FOS) where he became master of the bunkering tankers Falmouth Endeavour and Falmouth Enterprise.

Within three years Phil had moved ashore to take on the responsible job of marine operations superintendent for FOS.

He has also worked for Texaco and Tramp Oil when these companies ran the bunkering operation in the port.

As the WFS marine operations manger (UK) Phil had to travel extensively between Falmouth, Dover and Liverpool where the company have other bunkering outlets.

Phil said: “I will miss certain aspects of the job. All told I have enjoyed my time working in Falmouth and will miss working with my colleagues around the port.”

In retirement he intends to play the odd round of golf, embark on DIY projects and spend some quality with his wife Joan.