Peart Group introduces Bridge bunkering app to Singapore marine fuels market

An event to launch smart bunkering platform Bridge for the Singapore marine fuels market took place at the republic on Thursday (14 March).

The secured business chat-based service provides an end-to-end solution, from source to transaction, on a single intuitive app across multiple digital platforms for marine fuel buyers and suppliers.

Roger Peart, Chairman of the Peart Group and co-founder of Bridge, shared with bunkering publication Manifold Times the platform’s origin story.

“All businesses come from a need and the idea of Bridge came when working with Robert Thompson, CEO/Partner at Peart Group marine fuels subsidiary Propeller Fuels,” Peart noted.

“We experienced difficulties in keeping track of multiple bunker transactions even after forming email groups due to the constant use of WhatsApp by different stakeholders.

“Along with concerns in the UK Government regarding the risks posed by the use of social applications to conduct business, we decided it was time for us to develop a system which is familiar but also allowing visibility and control for the global marine fuels industry.”

According to Peart Group subsidiary Your NRG  – (formerly known as Oil NRG) which supplies fuel oils to homes and businesses throughout England – the transaction model has transitioned to having 70% of orders coming in from online sales.

The move towards digitalisation has resulted in more quality time being spent on securing revenue and improving client relationships.

“Your NRG takes between 1,000 to 2,000 orders on a weekend and the convenience of having an online sales channel means we no longer go out to do mass market telesales,” he shared.

“Instead, customers now contact us through online advertisements, and this is followed by a call from a sales assistant – which is more human centric.”

Aidan Jackson, Marketing Director, provided more details.

“The Peart Group has been trading in fuels for more than 100 years, so it’s important to stress that the Bridge app is not ‘just another app’, but rather a marriage between these many years of experience in the oil sector, technology, and timing.

“Similar to Singapore’s introduction of electronic bunkering notes, the whole point is streamlining the bunkering process; we are not trying to change the world.”

Jackson pointed out Bridge allows the whole bunkering process to take place in a single application from enquiry to stem fixing. It is also the only transactional application within the bunkering industry to date.

“Bridge is a secure end-to-end encrypted messaging platform offering marine fuel transactions in a fast and familiar way,” he added.

“It’s called Bridge because it connects people while still allowing them to chat and be social and ties in the metaphor of the control and management of a ship’s bridge.

“It is also a platform enabling the transition into newer bunkers fuels within a digital environment.

“It is designed to make life easier – whether you are owner, trader, or buyer.”

Related: Peart Group to launch Bridge app in February to connect bunker buyers and suppliers

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 19 March 2024