Physical bunker supplier United Bunkers has strengthened its position in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp region by acquiring the bunker activities of Oilchart International, according to Ship & Bunker.
The transaction brings Oilchart International’s biofuel blending capabilities, storage facilities, and tank capacity under the United Bunkers umbrella. Nine employees from Oilchart International have also transitioned to the company as part of the deal, Ship & Bunker reports.
A Strategic Move in a Developing Market
Oilchart International had been active in the marine fuels sector across a range of products, including VLSFO, HSFO, MGO, and various biofuel bunker blends. Ship & Bunker had previously reported in January that Belgian authorities had ordered the sale of part or all of Oilchart International’s assets.
United Bunkers noted that the acquisition enhances its capacity to supply both conventional marine fuels and biofuel blends, citing growing demand for lower-carbon bunkering options as a key driver behind the strategic decision.
Physical Presence Growing in Antwerp
The integration has had tangible effects on United Bunkers’ operational footprint. According to Ship & Bunker, the company has doubled its office space at Rijnkaai in Antwerp to accommodate the expanded business.
United Bunkers operates as part of the Somers family-owned maritime group, which runs a fleet of 42 inland barges across the ARA region. The group has also recently introduced a new LNG bunker barge to extend its alternative fuel supply capabilities at ARA ports.
The company stated that the combined business is better placed to serve customers as demand for biofuels and other alternative marine fuels continues to evolve.
Does This Matter to You?
The ARA region is one of the most active bunkering hubs in the world, and consolidation among physical suppliers in this corridor carries weight across the supply chain. The acquisition adds storage capacity and biofuel blending expertise to United Bunkers’ offering — capabilities that are increasingly sought after as regulatory pressure around emissions drives interest in lower-carbon fuel options.
For those operating in or transiting through ARA ports, shifts in the physical supplier landscape can affect fuel availability, pricing dynamics, and the range of compliant fuel options accessible at key ports. The addition of biofuel blending infrastructure, in particular, signals a continued push by physical suppliers to position themselves ahead of anticipated demand.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
