Americas News
New "Low Sulfur Specialist" Physical Supplier Enters Houston and Galveston Market
Houston-based GCC Bunkers (GCC), a new physical supplier focusing on the supply of low sulfur bunkers, this month will begin operations in the Houston and Galveston markets, principals Mark VandeVoorde and John Mafrige have told Ship & Bunker.
"We're supplying all grades of fuel, but we're a low sulfur specialist," said VandeVoorde.
"We will be immediately offering DMA 0.10% sulfur gasoil, and RMD 80 0.10% sulfur fuel oil starting in July, both for compliance with the current Emissions Control Area rules. We are working with a supplier that has a well established track record in the ARA region producing low sulfur fuels, so we know these are proven, problem-free, high quality products."
GCC says it has secured working capital funding from a Texas-based private equity group and has entered into agreements for physical marine fuels storage at Texas International Terminals in Galveston beginning July, 2017.
"We have made arrangements for supply via dedicated barges, one handling both DMA and high sulfur RMG, one dedicated barge for 0.10% sulfur DMA, and one for RMD 80 deliveries," VandeVoorde told Ship & Bunker.
"We are ready to receive your requirements for ECA compliant fuels and all other marine fuel grades for delivery with immediate effect."
In addition to supplying 0.10% sulfur ECA compliant fuels, GCC says it also aims to produce and supply 0.50% sulfur fuels when the new global sulfur cap comes into force in 2020.
"The next few years will see massive disruption in the bunker industry. GCC will be a solution provider for bunker purchasers looking for consistent, compliant ECA fuel supply in the US Gulf Coast, both now and post 2020," VandeVoorde said.
"The need to create quality supply solutions for the new IMO regulations is an exciting opportunity."
Industry veteran VandeVoorde has almost 30 years of experience, having previously worked at Chemoil, FAMM, Chevron, and Bomin. He returns to marine fuels after a four-year gap during which he worked in project development in the chemical industry.
Mafrige, meanwhile, comes to the marine fuel industry with 25 years of success in both corporate investments and executive management within the energy, alternative energy, fuel products, and petrochemical industries.
"One has to think, that any viable solution to the issues presented by the 2020 IMO specification change will involve both new approaches and new fuel supply options. We plan for GCC Bunkers to be at the forefront of these efforts," he said.
Contact details for GCC are as follows:
GCC Bunkers LLC
20 E Greenway Plaza, Suite 350 Houston, Texas, 77046
Main: +1 713 880-9812
Zach Stansbury, Senior Marketing Representative
Direct: +1 713-999-5345
Mobile: +1 713 898-6180
ICE Msg: zstansbury1
Skype: zachstansbury
Email: Marketing@gccbunkers.com
