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Gulf Petrochem (GP) says that it is looking to expand its barge fleet in Europe, add a new physical supply location and open another trading office in Europe during the course of this year.

In a statement on Tuesday, Chris Todd, General Manger - Physical Supply at Gulf Petrochem Group, explained: "Our bunker operations in Europe have performed well and to plan, so the steps we are taking by way of recruitment and expanding our supply coverage is the natural evolution in our progression towards making Gulf Petrochem a leading player in not only the local bunker market, but the global one too."

Gulf Petrochem commenced its Rotterdam physical supply operation - its first in Europe - in July 2016. This was followed in October by the launch of physical bunker deliveries in Antwerp.

Gulf Petrochem's physical deliveries in the ARA region are performed using the exclusively time-chartered barges Valsinni, Virage, Vantage and Chardonnay. The Rotterdam office also carries out worldwide cargo and bunker trading.

On Tuesday, Gulf Petrochem also announced the appointment of Maxime Cramer to the group's Rotterdam office. He joins Gulf Petrochem's global bunkering division, which is currently headed up by Chris Todd, who is responsible for business west of Suez, and Anil Keswani, who manages client portfolios east of Suez.

Cramer previously held trading positions with OW Bunker and Minerva Bunkers.

"Maxime shares in our vision and will make a great contribution to GP's bunkering team," Todd said.