A Decade Full of Challenge

In 1998, after around 15 years of acquiring experiences of chartering and inland navigation in the ARA-Area, the time had come for Erik Vermeylen to set up his own business. He took over a limited company and four single-hull barges and from that time on General Bunkering Services (GBS) was a matter of fact.

Very quickly a variety of oil traders and oil companies found their way to GBS. Within a few years the company was investing in renewing and increasing the number of double-hull inland tankers. The investments were necessary because the company didn’t have any double-hull tankers. The first double hull type C tanker, ‘Beethoven’ was christened in August 2005. Between 2008-2010 four new double hull tankers joined our fleet. Since august 2012 our first new estuary tanker 'Mozart' is operational.

In 2013, the 'Puccini' joined our fleet, a gasoil bunker barge of 2200 tons. At the beginning of September 2014, the "Strauss" joined our fleet. With her 4200 tons, she is our biggest double-hull tanker until now. The renewal of our fleet goes furthur. On the 1th of March this year, the new "Chopin", joined our fleet. The casco of this 2300t gasoil tanker was built in Serbia. The "Monteverdi" a sister ship of the "Chopin" will be added to our fleet in 2017/2018. Meanwhile, the "Cavalli" was ordered. This 5250t measuring estuary bunkertanker will be the new showpiece of the fleet. The "Cavalli" will join our fleet in the end of 2016. With the "Scarlatti" a sister ship of the "Cavalli" the renewal of our fleet will be completed.

True to tradition, all 'GBS' ships are named after composers.