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Bomin Group, a physical supplier and trader of marine fuel oil, has today announced that it is launching a physical operation in Port Louis, Mauritius, effective from July 12th, 2016.

Local subsidiary Bomin (Mauritius) Ltd. will utilise its modern, 2008-built, double-hulled bunker barge MT Hakkasan to provide customers with 180 centistoke (cst) intermediate fuel oil (IFO), as well as marine gas oil (MGO).

In statement, the supplier explained that all deliveries will be provided under a Bomin Bunker Delivery Note (BDN). "In doing this Bomin takes full control of the end-to-end supply process from order through to delivery, providing the highest levels of service, efficiency, and reliability for customers, as well as ensuring the quality and quantity of products," the company said.

Explaining the company's decision to supply in Port Louis, Jan Christensen, Global Head of Bunker Operations, remarked: "Port Louis is the only official port of entry and exit for sea vessels in Mauritius, and it is critical that we have a strong physical presence here to support our customers and our global network.

"Customers want a first-rate service that maximises both cost and operational efficiencies, a flexibility in the choice of products, assurances of their quality, and that they are delivered at the right quantity. Bomin has built a global reputation for providing this."

Mauritius as a bunkering hub

Mauritius occupies a strategic position in the Indian Ocean, offering a base for shipping on the East-West trade routes and for businesses looking for a convenient doorstep to Africa.

Each year, 35,000 ships transit the waters around Mauritius moving between Asia, Southern Africa and South America and over the last few years, the number of ships taking on bunker fuel in Port Louis has been increasing.

The volume supplied rose from 269,324 metric tonnes in 2013 to 287,546 metric tonnes in 2014, an increase of around 6.8%. However, this figure represents just 30 percent of the government's short term goal of 1 million metric tons of bunker exports per year.

To support this growth, the government has embarked on an ambitious plan to transform the port into an industry-leading petroleum and bunkering hub. The bunker trade has been liberalised, with government incentives provided through the reduction and removal of charges and duties and an improved quicker process for issuing bunkering licences and import permits.

The port limits have also been extended to provide for sites which would allow the anchorage and furtherance of petroleum-based activities.

"As a safe Indian Ocean port, customers bunkering with Bomin in Port Louis will benefit from no in-port delays, and significantly lower calling costs than other ports in the region. Safe anchorage is also available outside the harbor for bunker-only calls, with depths varying from 14 metres to 70 metres," Bomin said in today's statement.

Christensen added: "The launch of Bomin Mauritius is a continuation of our strategy to expand and enhance our global physical operations, building closer relationships with our customers to offer real value in the bunkering process that goes beyond just the price of the product."