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OW Bunker, one of the world's largest suppliers and traders of marine fuel, today announced the creation of a new Latin American purchasing desk.

The desk, which will be fully operational in May 2009, and will be run from OW Bunker Copenhagen's offices in Denmark, will streamline and pool all group knowledge on trading, physical supply, derivatives and risk management and will provide support for its European customers in the Latin American market.

The new desk, which is being run in conjunction with OW Bunker Chile, will cover all Latin American markets with the exception of Brazil and Panama. It will aim to provide European customers with a complete trading solution as well as access to latest market information, including up-to-date pricing on a 24-hour basis. Bunker trader Christian Outzen has been given the responsibility of heading up the new operation.

Commenting on the news, OW Bunker said "The establishment of a Latin American purchasing desk in Europe is in line with OW Bunker's strategy of providing its customers with relevant and timely access to information and knowledge on the worlds key bunkering markets, enabling them to purchase products when and where they need them."

In January 2009 the company also announced the implementation of a European Singapore purchasing desk, based in the UK, which provides a similar service for the Singapore bunker market.

Soren Christian Meyer, Branch Manager, OW Bunker Copenhagen, said: "Our customers need the ability to purchase products on a 24 hour basis, and therefore require access to expert knowledge and up-to-date information on the key global bunker markets. The establishment of a purchasing desk in Europe that is devoted to the Latin American market will ensure that this demand is facilitated, streamlining customer's fuel procurement strategies, as well as increasing efficiencies.

"The implementation of this type of service also helps to drive synergies and creates close ties within OW Bunker's global operations, which adds further value to managing customer relationships as well as increasing lead generation and sales volumes."