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GAC Bunker Fuels, part of global shipping, logistics and marine services provider GAC, has announced the appointment of Maurice Lara as its Bunker Manager for East Coast USA.

He is based in Norwalk, Connecticut and accountable to Nicholas Browne, Global Director of GAC Bunker Fuels, and Bob Bandos, Managing Director of GAC USA.

Lara's background is in marine fuel trading, domestic and international logistics, vessel chartering and negotiating charter party agreements and end-to-end commodity transportation. Most recently, he served for five years as a marine fuel broker and trader with OceanConnect.

GAC said Lara's fluency in Spanish will be an asset in developing and expanding the company's bunker trading activities across the Americas, with particular focus on offshore oil and gas operations and LNG owners.

Nicholas Browne, Global Director of GAC Bunker Fuels, said: "Lara's extensive broking and trading experience, knowledge of the bunker market, and strong supplier relationships across the Americas and in-depth understanding of the needs of marine fuel customers make him a valuable addition to our team in the USA. He will play a key role as GAC Bunker Fuels continues to grow in the US and help our marine fuel customers to prepare for the launch of the North American Emission Control Area (ECA) on 1 August 2012."

GAC Bunker Fuels USA offers marine fuels and lubricants from all key US ports, including Houston, New York, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Miami, as well as across the Caribbean, Central and South America. It also gives clients access to GAC's worldwide bunker supply network and global lines of credit, as well as the full range of shipping, logistics and marine services and solutions provided by the broader GAC Group.