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www.marinelink.com 23 to determine their fuel requirements once the expanded canal opens for business to ensure product availability. For those fuel distributors with the resource, infrastruc- ture and ? nancial strength, there are many opportunities to develop their operations to meet the future needs of customers in the region.

Signi? cant Operational Costs

While changes to the energy and trans- portation infrastructure will impact upon supply and demand for fuel across North

America, there is one ongoing challenge that the bunker industry must address; the increase in operational costs for ship owners and operators at a time of contin- ued lack of liquidity.

It is well documented that bunker fuel accounts for the majority of operational costs. It is therefore up to fuel distribu- tors to take responsibility for working in partnership with their customers to mini- mize the impact as much as possible. For

OW Bunker, as a physical distributor (as well as a reseller), cost-effective fuel pro- curement is delivered by looking beyond just the price of fuel. It is about imple- menting solutions that focus on driving savings and increasing operational ef- ? ciencies within every element of the distribution process. This takes commit- ment to providing the highest quality ser- vice, investing in the fuel supply chain, processes and infrastructure, as well as working in partnership with ship owners and operators to ensure that the products, means of distribution and management of risk are right for the needs of each cus- tomer’s business.

For example, in the Gulf of Mexico,

OW Bunker’s aim in establishing an offshore physical distribution offering was to ensure that every element within the fuel supply chain is designed to in- crease ef? ciency. We operate two of the most modern and versatile fuel distribu- tion tankers in the market. The Elisalex

Schulte (16,000DWT) and Wappen Von

Hamburg (8,000DWT) are ideally suited to provide a full range of quality products to all types of vessels. Both vessels are operated by experienced lightering and bunker crews, and are correctly sized for the offshore business. Pumping rates ap- proach 1000 mts/hr, which also maximiz- es the speed and ef? ciency of supply. This saves our customers time through provid- ing quick product supply at location, and because they are offshore, customers do not have to deviate from their course to bunker in port, saving them valuable time and associated calling costs.

While providing offshore services is a skill and niche OW Bunker has devel- oped particular expertise in, the savings for customers quickly add up. On a global basis we look to utilize the latest technol- ogies on our distribution vessels to guar- antee the quantity of fuel supplied, such as Coriolis Flow Meters, and through providing additional testing procedures prior to delivery, customers can also be assured of the quality of fuel they receive.

Such measures are important ways of creating overall operational savings and protecting customers against undue, and costly risks. It is the hallmark of a value- driven fuel distribution model that meets the demands of ship owners and opera- tors in a changing market.

Opportunity in the Face of Change

Despite the evolution of the market, an effective fuel distribution solution can provide ship owners and operators with a competitive advantage. That is why at

OW Bunker, we are focused on proactive- ly ensuring that we adopt the right strat- egy and are well positioned and equipped with the resources, the expertise and the agility to meet the new market dynamics and the increasingly complex demands of ship owners and operators.

From a North American perspective, we are implementing a controlled expan- sion of both our reselling and physical distribution operations to ensure we have a presence where our customers need us.

We’ve added of? ces, further expanded our state-of-the-art vessel ? eet, entered into strategic alliances to guarantee sup- ply of high quality products and recruited skilled and experienced teams with real industry knowledge. Most importantly we are driven by building transparent, partnership-based relationships with our customers that are founded on trust, a fundamental understanding of their busi- nesses, and a mutual commitment to improving ef? ciencies and performance within their operations.

It is through this determination to evolve that we can be on hand to help ship owners and operators manage this transition and thrive in the face change.

The Author

Adrian Tolson is General Manager, North

America, for OW Bunker, one of the world’s leading independent distributors and resellers of marine fuels and lubri- cants. Tolson joined OW Bunker in Octo- ber 2012 to oversee the company’s new physical division in the North America. www.owbunker.com

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