Rotterdam, Netherlands — In a move set to recalibrate the European marine fuel landscape, Robin van Elderen, a seasoned authority in global bunkering, has been entrusted with the mandate to lead Unicore Fuel as Regional Manager – Europe, effective August 2025. This strategically elevated position signals a bold new phase in Bunker Holding Group’s regional transformation and global supply chain reconfiguration.
Van Elderen will concurrently retain his role as Managing Director of KPI OceanConnect, aligning two of the Group’s most commercially agile entities with a future-oriented leadership vision. Both organizations are part of Bunker Holding, the world’s largest bunker trading company.
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Catalyst for Bunker Holding’s “Fit for Future” Evolution
Van Elderen’s expanded responsibilities form a critical cornerstone in Bunker Holding’s long-term transformation agenda — the “Fit for Future” strategy — which seeks to reshape how marine energy is sourced, delivered, and evolved in response to rapidly changing market, regulatory, and environmental forces.
Central to this strategy is the deployment of a newly formed Global Supply Organization, Unicore Fuel, an integrated platform that consolidates regional sourcing, technical consultancy, and ESG leadership under a unified command. The goal is to accelerate cross-regional collaboration, create more agile sourcing ecosystems, and elevate the Group’s responsiveness to volatility in the global energy mix.
In this architecture, Europe plays a flagship role — and van Elderen is now at the helm of its execution.
Europe: The Epicenter of Bunkering Complexity and Opportunity
Europe occupies a uniquely strategic position in the global marine fuel economy. With ports like Rotterdam, Gibraltar, Piraeus, Barcelona and Marseille anchoring global trade flows, the continent is not only a critical commercial hub, but also a regulatory pacesetter for the broader industry. The region’s Emission Control Areas (ECAs), combined with the onset of FuelEU Maritime in 2025 and the evolving IMO decarbonization framework, are transforming the compliance landscape.
Europe’s bunkering market is no longer defined by volume alone, but by its role in setting the standard for fuel innovation, emissions accountability, and energy diversification. Nowhere else is the need for commercial agility, regulatory foresight, and sustainability alignment more urgent — or more influential.
Van Elderen’s deep operational and strategic expertise make him uniquely qualified to steer Unicore Fuel through this evolving terrain. His remit will cover Northern Europe and the West Mediterranean, where he will lead teams across Denmark, the Netherlands, Monaco, and Greece, tasked with expanding sourcing scope, enhancing customer engagement, and delivering integrated marine energy solutions tailored to both compliance and commercial performance.
“The last few months we have worked hard together with our Bunker Holding colleagues and our teams to prepare for this transition. I am very much looking forward to working closely together with our talented teams across Denmark, the Netherlands, Monaco & Greece, building a stronger presence in our markets by driving value across the supply chain. Exciting times ahead!” Shared, Robin van Elderen, Regional Manager – Europe, Unicore Fuel
A Proven Strategist for the Next Chapter of European Bunkering
With more than 25 years of sector-specific experience, van Elderen is regarded as one of the most strategically astute voices in European bunkering. His career spans senior leadership roles at Sing Fuels, Trefoil Trading, the Cockett Group, and Argos Bunkering BV, where he earned industry-wide recognition for advancing sourcing strategies, optimizing supply chains, and anticipating macro shifts in marine fuel dynamics.
Holding a degree in Maritime Management from HR&O and based in Rotterdam, van Elderen combines deep market literacy with a collaborative leadership ethos. His appointment reinforces Bunker Holding’s commitment to investing in visionary talent capable of navigating complexity while delivering measurable value to both clients and partners.
About Unicore Fuel
Unicore Fuel is a dynamic marine energy company recognized for its financial resilience, regional agility, and deep commitment to sustainable sourcing and supply innovation. As a trusted partner to shipowners and operators, Unicore delivers a comprehensive suite of services — from ex-wharf fuel procurement and back-to-back trading to hedging strategies and supply chain finance. Operating across key European and global bunkering hubs, Unicore is at the forefront of delivering flexible, compliant, and future-focused fuel solutions in a rapidly evolving maritime landscape.
Unicore is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bunker Holding, World’s leading bunker trading company, is the parent company of a group of companies specialising in the purchase, sale and supply of marine fuel and lube oil to ships as well as risk management and associated services.. With operations spanning over 1,600 ports and a presence in 62 offices worldwide, Bunker Holding is a central force in the global marine energy transition. As part of the USTC Group, the company provides expert solutions in marine fuels, lubricants, risk management, and compliance advisory, helping clients navigate the demands of IMO regulations, EU sustainability directives, and long-term decarbonization goals.
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