The expansion is in line with the company’s ambitious plans for growth throughout 2015.

The Copenhagen operations complement Bomin’s existing physical network in the Baltic Sea region, including Tallinn, Stockholm and Rostock.

“Securing supply in key markets for our customers is an important part of the growth strategy for the Baltic region”, said Anatoli Belov, Managing Director Bomin Baltic. “Our physical offering enables us to take more control of the bunkering process, ensuring that customers are provided with quality products and at the right quantity, as well as looking at all opportunities to maximize their operational efficiencies. We plan to phase our physical expansion within Copenhagen, beginning with providing products ex-pipe and by truck.”

Available immediately is the provision of Marine Gas Oil delivered ex-pipe. All deliveries are supplied using a mass flow meter to ensure customers are provided with the exact quantity of gas oil that they order. Bomin will not charge customers port fees, providing further value. The company can also provide smaller product quantities by truck, which can be delivered to customers directly at berth in Copenhagen, increasing efficiencies and minimizing downtime, as well as into smaller ports in the Copenhagen area and South West Sweden.

Jan Christensen, Regional Manager Northwest Europe concluded: “The development in Copenhagen is the first of several planned expansions within our network. Despite the continued challenges within the shipping industry, Bomin is well placed, financially robust and with the strong backing of its parent company to drive growth and increase market share.”

The Bomin Group has been active in the bunker business for more than 35 years via its subsidiaries and is one of the world’s leading independent suppliers and traders of bunker oil. The business portfolio covers activities ranging from the supply of bunker fuels to lubricants and other services to the shipping industry. The company operates around the globe with a staff of more than 300 in 36 offices worldwide. Bomin is 100% owned by Mabanaft.

In March SCPA handled 171,113 TEU, an increase of 13.7% compared to 150,516 TEU moved during the same month last year. Fiscal year to date, the port has handled nearly 1.4 million TEU.

As measured in pier containers, or the total number of boxes handled, containerized cargo is up 15 percent fiscal year to date compared to last year. SCPA moved 97,191 boxes in March, bringing year fiscal to date pier container volume to nearly 798,000 boxes.

“March volumes reflect the end of a very strong quarter, and I’m confident the port will handle over 1 million boxes by the end of our fiscal year in June,” said SC Ports Authority CEO Jim Newsome. “We’re seeing broad-based growth across all sectors, particularly refrigerated cargo and automotive manufacturing. Discretionary cargo volumes are also up, with the growth of retail imports and agricultural exports reflected in a nearly 25% increase in rail moves last month.”

The Inland Port handled 5,187 rail moves in March, achieving its highest volumes since the facility opening in November 2013. Fiscal year to date, the Inland Port has handled 40,313 rail moves and is 52% ahead of planned volumes.

Breakbulk business volume was strong in March, with 111,352 total pier tons handled during the month. Charleston moved 68,163 tons in March, bringing fiscal year to date breakbulk tonnage at the North Charleston, Columbus Street and Union Pier terminals to 594,022 tons. Georgetown handled 43,189 tons in March, and the facility is 6% head of planned volumes with 401,778 tons moved fiscal year to date.