OW Bunker to launch U.S. operations

Götz Lehsten, Executive Vice President, OW Bunker, calls a decision by the company to launch operations in the U.S. “a landmark moment for the business.”

OW Bunker, a member of Denmark’s Wrist Group, is one of the world’s leading suppliers and traders of marine fuel, with an 8 percent share of the world bunker market. It already has a significant presence in Asia, Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East. Its U.S. operation, planned to start next month, will allow OW Bunker to provide a complete global offering for its customers.

OW Bunker will launch its first trading operation in Houston, with further plans to expand on the East and then West Coast. The U.S. office will also act as an internal purchasing centre for the whole OW Bunker Group.

Hans Staal, recently a manager with OW Bunker Malta, will be the Branch Manager of the new operation. Mr. Staal will take responsibility for ensuring that the company’s best practices and quality standards are replicated in the U.S., and that customers receive the full service, end-to-end bunkering solution that OW Bunker is known for.

“Expanding into the U.S. is a natural move for OW Bunker as we look to further consolidate our global leadership position,” said Mr. Lehsten. “We have a presence in every other major market around the world, and we know that launching operations in the U.S. provides real value to our international customers who want to be able to deal with OW Bunker representatives wherever they are in the world.”

“Being in the locality, building quality working relationships with local suppliers, and benefitting from their local market knowledge and experience, enables us to ensure continuous smooth operations and a high level of service,” continued Mr. Lehsten. “We are also confident that local customers will benefit from our global infrastructure and network, our capabilities in providing bespoke fuel procurement solutions, and our financial strength, which enables us to provide shipowners and operators with flexible prices, which helps them to combat the current financial pressures within the market.”

Customers will also have access to OW Bunker’s technical department, which helps ship owners and operators overcome the potential operational issues in relation to current and impending changes to sulfur regulations when switching from heavy to low sulfur fuels; a timely offering given the impending introduction of the North American ECA in mid 2012.

April 20, 2012