Know Your Counter Party: Bomin Group

Jan Christensen, Global Head of Bunker Operations, Bomin Group. Image Credit: Bomin

Bomin has been in the bunker business for 40 years, and has seen a significant amount of change to the industry in that time. Having just launched a new brand identity, Ship & Bunker talks to Jan Christensen, Global Head of Bunker Operations, Bomin Group, to learn more about the company's past, present, and future plans.

S&B - Tell us about the origins of the company

Bominflot was founded in 1976 as a German-Russian joint venture, supplying bunkers, lubricants and spare parts. By 1991 Bominflot had evolved into a worldwide trading organisation, with local offices strategically located in the world's major bunkering hubs, and with the capability to deliver wherever its expanding customer base demands.

In 2011, Bominflot was acquired by Mabanaft and combined with its subsidiary, Matrix Marine, became one of the leading independent physical marine fuel suppliers and traders in the world.  We rebranded as Bomin Group in 2012. Our focus over the last 12 months has been to ensure that our global infrastructure is calibrated to meet the changing demands of the bunkering and shipping markets.

After 40 years in bunkering, we've seen a lot of changes within the industry, which has given us real experience and knowledge in how to successfully adapt and evolve in line with new market challenges, and seize the opportunities to drive further growth.

S&B - From those beginnings, where is the company today?

Today Bomin is a world leading independent physical supplier and trader of marine fuels and lubricants, committed to helping ship owners and operators thrive in an ever-changing market.

To do this Bomin has invested significantly in global infrastructure and resources to ensure that we deliver consistently high quality of products, services and solutions to our customers world-wide. Bomin has a fleet of more than 20 owned and chartered high quality bunker barges, as well as storage capacity at major bunkering hubs around the world.

With complete control of the fuel supply chain from order through to final delivery, we provide quality, quantity, flexibility, and compliance.

S&B - The on-going tough market conditions for both the buyers and sellers of marine fuel have been well reported. The market is also preparing for significant change with IMO 2020 when the marine fuel sulfur cap lowers to 0.50%. Tell us about the response Bomin has made to date, and what lies ahead on the road to 2020 and beyond.

The marine fuel supply chain is experiencing a period of significant transition and change, with new regulations and added complexity. It was therefore critical that Bomin's global infrastructure and resources were invested in the right areas to ensure that we could meet our customers' evolving requirements. As part of this process, Bomin has increased its physical infrastructure in key areas including Singapore and Europe, in line with its value driven physical trader model. 

In December 2016 we established four regional hubs to support our worldwide operations, in line with our strategy. The hubs are successfully supporting our operations across Europe, the Americas, Middle East & Africa and Asia-Pacific, while at the same time ensuring global alignment and the highest service quality in line with our customers' needs. 

In taking these decisions we have put in place the foundations that will make us stronger, sustainable and more resilient, as well as leaving us better placed to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

S&B - Why is Bomin launching a new brand identity?

The shipping industry is experiencing real change, and the fuel supply chain is becoming increasingly complex and fraught with risk; in particular in relation to the impending global sulphur cap in 2020.

Right now, there has never been a more important time for ship owners and operators to have the closest possible relationship with their fuel suppliers. Our partnerships with our customers are founded on trust. They know we provide the highest quality products and services, but also that we are committed to conducting business in the right way.  

This is why, over the past year, we have invested in further developing our global physical infrastructure, and establishing our regional hubs to ensure universal excellence in service standards, processes, and in the quality of products and counsel that we provide to all our customers.

We have therefore developed an identity that reflects this evolution in line with Bomin's values, strengths, our sustainability as a business, and our global presence and international standing.

The new logo comprises a modern typeface, and represents Bomin's global presence, and international standing, as well as our ethical approach to business. The waves in the logo reflect Bomin's maritime heritage and our core value of 'Energy', while the green and red colours represent Bomin's close working relationship with our parent companies Mabanaft and Marquard & Bahls.

S&B - Do you have any other future plans or developments in the pipeline you can share?

As one of the world's leading physical suppliers, Bomin's strategy is based on further expansion and development in key regions where our customers need us. We are always willing to invest when it will help us to better provide fuel procurement solutions that help our customers manage the dynamics of shipping's rapidly changing market.