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Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. on Monday announced the launch of a new physical bunker supply operation in Savannah, Georgia, the third largest container port in the United States.

The operation is to be managed by the existing Aegean U.S. team. Under the terms of the agreement with Colonial Terminals, Inc., Aegean will lease tankage from Colonial's oil terminal on the Savannah River.

In order to meet the needs of its clients, Aegean says it will acquire and blend "a full range of bunker fuel products" and has agreed to supply Colonial Oil Industries, Inc. with a range of No. 6 oil products for Colonial's truck delivery business. Aegean has also contracted with the Vane Brothers Company to provide barge services in the port.

Manolis Chochlakis, Regional Manager of the Americas for Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, said: "We are pleased to announce the launch of our new service center in Savannah, which strengthens our existing presence in the U.S. East Coast market. Our core customer base will get a price competitive offering in a critical container market that has been underserved since Colonial's exit from the business in 2013. Aegean's expansion into the U.S. Southeast Coast will enhance the flexibility and reach of our supply network and enable us to better serve our customers."

Chochlakis added: "The Colonial Group is an experienced group that knows how to store, blend and distribute marine fuels. We are excited to partner with them to bring Savannah back to prominence as a marine fuel market."

The Colonial lease and supply agreement is due to begin on July 1.