Energy and commodities trading company BGN on Wednesday (29 July) launched its first US-based retail marine bunkering business, marking another important milestone in the continued expansion of its global shipping platform. To launch its bunkering operations, BGN has partnered with Houston-based Centerline Logistics Corporation, a marine petroleum transportation company, chartering two new barges, the Jackson Eades and MGI 2100 . The company’s double-hulled fleet of bunker and terminal barges are designed to maximise safety and minimise environmental impact. The new business will supply high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO), very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) and marine gas oil (MGO) to vessels calling at ports across the US Gulf Coast. Initially, the operation will support BGN’s owned and chartered LPG fleet of around 40 vessels, helping to strengthen the integration between our trading, shipping and marine fuels businesses. The new service will also provide reliable, competitive bunkering solutions to third-party shipowners operating throughout the region. Harry Thwaites, Head of Fuel Oil, Feedstocks and Marine Fuels , said: “We are delighted to launch BGN’s first retail bunkering business, representing an important milestone in the continued growth of our marine fuels platform. The US Gulf Coast is one of the world’s most important shipping and energy hubs, making it the ideal location to establish our first retail bunkering operation. “Initially, the business will support our own global LPG fleet while also providing reliable, competitive marine fuel solutions to third-party shipowners operating across the region. “We are also pleased to be working with world-class partners such as Centerline Logistics, whose advanced fleet of liquid oil barges will support our ambition to grow BGN’s bunkering operations across the Americas. Going forward, we will look to expand into other major international ports as we continue to strengthen our marine fuels trading pl