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OW Bunker has today announced that it has entered into agreements with the Rubis Tank Terminal in Rotterdam and the Vesta Tank Terminal in Antwerp, to allow for increased access and guaranteed supply at key bunkering ports.

The investment in direct supply facilities comes in response to increasing demand for RMK 1% 500 cst fuel oil, a cost efficient low sulphur fuel, which offers savings for operators transiting within the European Emissions Control Area (ECA).

OW Bunker Netherlands' exclusive contract with the 72,000 cubic metre Rubis Tank Terminal in Rotterdam will support the supply of all grades of marine fuel on both a spot and contract basis, and is aimed at guaranteeing the supply of RMK 1% 500 cst fuel oil. The agreement also gives OW Bunker Netherlands exclusive control over all loadings and discharging at the terminal.

Meanwhile, OW Bunker Belgium has also secured 44,000 cubic metres of storage capacity at the Vesta Tank Terminal in Antwerp, in a move aimed at creating more efficiencies in barge loading and vessel supply along the busy trade route.

Vincent De Vos, Managing Director, OW Bunker Netherlands, said: "With bunker prices remaining high, we are very aware that our customers need to look for the most cost efficient bunkering strategies, and we have invested in these terminal agreements to ensure we can offer the highest quality and best value products to meet our customers' needs.

"Many of our customers in the ARA were requesting RMK 500 cst heavy fuel oil, but were not aware of the existence of the 1% sulphur alternative, which is both a cost efficient and practical alternative for meeting regulations in the region. We have been working with our customers to increase awareness of the range of products available and entering into these terminal agreements ensures that we have the infrastructure in place to meet rising demand."

Jane Dahl Christensen, Executive Vice President, OW Bunker, commented: "The agreement with the Rubis Tank Terminal and Vesta Tank Terminal demonstrates OW Bunker's commitment to strategically investing in our operations to the benefit of our customers, and marks another significant development in our rapidly expanding global network. Having direct access to supply in Rotterdam and Antwerp has allowed us to respond to the needs of our customers in the region, which is of huge strategic importance to us. By always working to improve our operational efficiency and gaining even greater control over products and costs across the supply chain, OW Bunker can provide even more efficient bunkering solutions to our customers."

De Vos continued: "With both our Dutch and Belgian operations entering into contracts with these strategically located terminals, we will be able to provide not only much more efficient and cost effective services on a local basis, but will increase our control of the overall supply chain across the region, which is extremely important and highly beneficial to our customers. This means we will be able to offer fully-tested and quality controlled products, when and where our customers need them."