Germany's Hoyer Group is targeting a global expansion of its bunker business with a new ship and a new recruit, despite what it calls challenging times.
The company said it has formed subsidiary Hoyer Marine Trading (HMT) to handle international sales.
The newest addition to the Hoyer fleet of nine tankers is the 1,600-dwt bunker vessel Vissel (built 2007), chartered in from Estonian owner Vaggen.
UK shipbroker Clarksons lists the vessel as previously laid up.
"We were already very active in arranging supplies from shore side and wanted to add supplies by barge in order to fullfil the needs of our customers for all german ports," Hoyer Group's executive owner Thomas Hoyer said of the expanding fleet.
Rival poached
The company has recruited GP Global bunkering boss Lars Doring, while the team also includes Daniel Gustke and Nick Heickmann, with Tim Heickmann as chief executive. Gustke and Tim Heickmann will focus on domestic growth.
"With this direction we are able to offer a full service range to our local and international customers and look forward to proceed with our trustful and future-oriented collaboration," added Michael Meyer, CEO of Hoyer Marine.
Hoyer has been a domestic supplier since 2007, but ramped up operations when it bought rival NBW earlier this year.
This company is forming the basis for HMT.
Hoyer is one of the largest independent and family-controlled energy suppliers in Germany.
From more than 100 locations, the group deals in fuel oil, diesel, heating oil, liquid and natural gas, wooden pellets and electricity. Hoyer also produces and supplies lubricants.
The group owns more than 200 petrol stations and has an annual turnover of about €4.5bn ($5.25bn).
