Danish bunker and tanker group Monjasa has brought in two of its experienced traders from Cyprus to set up an office in Athens.
Trading director Christos Doulaveris and senior trader Minas Tsokopoulos have established the base to meet increasing demand across the Mediterranean.
Doulaveris has been with Monjasa since 2016, after running fleet operations for Star Bulk Carriers, Product Shipping & Trading and Fairdeal Marine Services.
Tsokopoulos joined in 2017 after an internship at Azora Marine Co.
Monjasa opened its base in Limassol, Cyprus, in 2016.
"We are seeing an increasing demand across the board," a spokesman told TradeWinds.
This led to an office opening in Houston in the US two weeks ago.
Athens is viewed "as a great extension to our Med services", he added.
In 2020, Monjasa supplied 850,000 tonnes of marine fuels across European ports.
This year, it expects to increase its European volume and deliver close to 1m tonnes of fuel products.
The group said Greece remains the world's largest shipping nation, controlling around 4,900 vessels.
Greek owners account for around 20% of all global tonnage, equivalent to around 360m dwt.
"For Monjasa, the task is to offer new refuelling solutions to the Greek shipowners — both through Monjasa's physical supply locations and global trading across 11 sister offices," the company said.
The Greek office is in Glyfada, a fast-growing shipping and commercial hub in Athens, housing some of the world's biggest owners.
"Our five-year presence in Cyprus has created new standards and expectations for our customers across the Mediterranean," said Theodoros Mitsingas, general manager for the Mediterranean.
"And with Monjasa always available in Athens, we are improving our understanding of the local demand and tightening customer relationships."
The Danish group controls a fleet of 25 tankers and barges and supplied 4.9m tonnes of bunkers in 2020.
