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International Bunker Industry Association News

31 Aug 2023

IBIA Appoints Alexander Prokopakis as Executive Director

Alexander Prokopakis courtesy of IBIA.

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has appointed Alexander Prokopakis as its new Executive Director.Joining the IBIA team on September 1 with Edmund Hughes, the recently appointed IBIA IMO Representative, Prokopakis will be instrumental in navigating the association through the evolving challenges and opportunities in the marine fuel industry.Well-regarded within the IBIA community, he brings a strong background of active association membership. His recent leadership


17 Aug 2023

IBIA Appoints Dr. Edmund Hughes as Its New IMO Representative

Dr. Edmund Hughes. Photo courtesy IBIA/IMO

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) announced the appointment of Dr. Edmund Hughes as its International Maritime Organization (IMO) Representative, effective from September 1, 2023. Dr. Hughes will succeed Unni Einemo.A prominent figure in the maritime community, many will recognize Edmund for his pivotal role as the Head of Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency in the Marine Environment Division at the IMO. His tenure there played a significant part in developing MARPOL Annex VI


24 Jul 2023

IBIA and Green Marine to Deliver Methanol Bunkering Training

Credit: Waterfront Shipping

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) and methanol consulting firm Green Marine have signed a cooperation agreement to develop a methanol bunkering training program, with support from the Methanol Institute.The cooperation agreement aims to ensure bunker tanker crews and bunker surveyors are competent and ready for methanol bunkering on a larger scale. The plan is to commence the training in Singapore first and expanding globally in 2024.“Through strategic training and partnerships


29 May 2023

IBIA Wants IMO to Improve New Flashpoint Regulations

Source: IBIA

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has submitted proposals to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 107) which will be meeting later this week in a bid to improve understanding and workability of new flashpoint regulations for fuel oil.MSC 107 will meet from 31 May to 9 June and will continue discussion on an agenda item for the development of further measures to enhance the safety of ships relating to the use of fuel oil. In essence, the aim is to introduce increased control on the supply of bunker fuels.

16 Sep 2020

Global Demand for Marine Fuels to Fall by Up To 17%

Image by Georgiy/AdobeStock

Global demand for marine fuels is expected to fall by up to 17% due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on world trade, setting the stage for more consolidation among bunker suppliers, an industry executive told a conference on Wednesday.Banks scaled back on their commodities trade finance after the coronavirus crisis led to defaults by some trading houses and exposed a series of frauds, leaving small and medium-sized firms most exposed.Unni Einemo, director of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), said firms were contending with low demand, low margins, ample supplies, i

31 Jan 2020

IMO2020: Low Sulfur Fuel Potential Pitfalls

"The trouble will come when the products are mixed and some blends prove incompatible with one another: when a more aromatic 0.5% product comes into contact with a more paraffinic blend, the products are likely to separate and form sludge, blocking filters.” Jack Jordan, a researcher with S&P Global Platts. 
Image: © vectorpocket/AdobeStock

(This is excerpted from Maritime Reporter & Engineering News' January 2020 "The Path to Zero" column.)Are the world’s ships’ engines ready for IMO compliant very low sulfur fuel? That’s a wide open question as ship owners step to the end of the preparatory gang-plank on January 1, 2020 when 0.5% very low sulfur distillate fuels (VLSF) have to replace residual heavy fuel oil (HFO) containing 3.5% sulfur.You might think that given the length of time to prepare – since 2008 – shipping experts and engineers would have a clearer picture about new fuels and marine engines and operability.

11 Sep 2019

IBIA, S&P Partner to Encourage IMO2020

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) and price-reporting agency S&P Global Platts are to work together to help market participants across the shipping ecosystem prepare ahead of the implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) low sulfur marine fuel regulations in January 2020.Unni Einemo, Director of IBIA and its representative at the IMO said: "We are very pleased to work with S&P Global Platts in bringing industry stakeholders the tools they need to manage the transition to IMO 2020."Unni added: "IBIA has been heavily engaged in working at the IMO to help develop guidelines for effective implementation


17 Dec 2018

Bunker Industry Welcomes MSC Move on Fuel Safety

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has welcome a decision by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) to add a new item to its agenda to address concerns about fuel safety, separating the subject from discussions around the implementation of the new 0.50% sulphur limit under  the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI.According to an IBIA release, the decision was made at the 100th session of MSC held at IMO’s London headquarters in the first week of December. It followed discussion of a proposal put forward by Liberia and a group of shipping organisations to bring all fuel safety related requirements of regulation 18 of MARPOL Annex VI under MSC


04 Dec 2018

MBL's Fuels Assurance Platform now being tested

file Image: CREDIT MBL & Matthew Henry / Burst

Maritime Blockchain Labs has announced the real-world testing phase for technology solution that enhances traceability and trust in bunker fuel supply chain. Maritime Blockchain Labs (MBL), a partnership set up between Lloyd’s Register Foundation and BLOC to explore the use of blockchain for the assurance and safety of critical infrastructure and drive new business models for the global maritime industry, announced today that its first demonstrator project, a fuel provenance register for the maritime sector that aims to provide trusted information about fuel origin


08 Jul 2018

IBIA Promotes Sensible Approach to Sulphur Testing

International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) is continuing its efforts for IMO to adopt guidelines ahead of 2020 that will promote a uniform approach to fuel oil testing and reporting protocol for the verification of compliance with MARPOL Annex VI sulphur limits. Earlier this year, IBIA submitted two papers to the 5th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 5) proposing a way ahead on sulphur testing and compliance verification. Both papers will be forwarded to a PPR intersessional working group (ISWG) taking place at the IMO in July. In PPR 5/12/1, IBIA proposes establishing appropriate guidelines for verifying the sulphur content in fuel oil samples taken from ships’ fuel systems (in-use samples).

15 May 2018

New Online Tool Aids 2020 Sulfur Compliance

Photo: Lloyd's Register

The new ‘Sulfur 2020 – Options Evaluator’ from Lloyd’s Register (LR) aims to help the industry identify the best strategy for compliance with the global sulfur in fuel oil limit of 0.50 percent m/m, which comes into effect on January 1, 2020.According to LR, the ‘Options Evaluator’ aims to bring clarity to what the potential cost and investment implications could be for the various compliance strategies, such as transition from fuel oil to marine gasoil (MGO), use of scrubbers


03 May 2018

BIMCO Sets New Standard with Revised Bunker Contract

BIMCO’s Documentary Committee approved a new set of standard bunker terms, developed by a cross-industry group, in New York on 2 May. The BIMCO Bunker Terms 2018 improve on the previous edition with a maximum limit of the parties’ liabilities – a key change that will lead to wider adoption of the contract. “I think it is a positive step for the industry that representatives for the bunker traders and shipowners have agreed on a standard set of terms, which both parties consider fair and balanced,” says Francis Sarre, Chair of the BIMCO Documentary Committee. The trader representatives who helped draft the contract together account for 25% of the total bunker volume sold globally, which BIMCO sees as a very strong sign of support for the final result.

27 Apr 2018

Singapore Extends MFM Use

Following the successful completion of test-bedding the use of mass flow metering (MFM) system for delivery of distillates , the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will extend the mandatory use of MFM to all bunker tankers delivering distillates1 in the Port of Singapore from 1 July 2019. Assistant Chief Executive (Operations) of MPA, Capt M Segar said this at the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) Asia Gala Dinner held last night (26 April 2018). The use of the MFM system will enhance transparency in the bunkering process, improve operational efficiency and increase the productivity of the bunkering industry.

26 Apr 2018

Singapore to Require Flow Meters for Bunker Transfers

Singapore's Maritime Port Authority (MPA) is set to announce it is making use of mass-flow-meters (MFM) mandatory onboard marine gasoil barges used to refuel large ships, two people with knowledge of the matter said. The announcement will be made at a gala dinner in the city state organised by the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) later on Thursday, the people said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media. It wasn't immediately clear from which date the MPA will enforce the use of MFMs - designed to minimise inaccuracies and errors in measuring quantities delivered - on gasoil bunker barges. The people with knowledge of the matter said the date was likely to be either Jan. 1 or July 1 next year.

28 Feb 2018

Tech File: Fuel Monitoring Matters

Parker Kittiwake ATR oil analyzer

Whether you choose distillates, liquefied natural gas (LNG) or scrubbers to meet the new International Maritime Organization (IMO) fuel regulations in 2020, it will be ever more critical to regularly monitor the condition of vital equipment to ensure there is no adverse affect on operational efficiency. Industry opinion ahead of the implementation of the 2020 global sulphur cap remains fragmented to say the least. With only a relatively short timeframe remaining before ship owners will be facing the reality of compliance


15 Aug 2017

IBIA Supports Efforts to Ensure Integrity of MFM Systems

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) believes the benefits achieved from adopting mandatory use of Mass Flow Meters (MFMs) for marine fuel oil deliveries in Singapore must be protected by effective enforcement, and that using approved MFMs to measure quantity being loaded onto bunker tankers as well as that delivered to ship would address a missing link in supply chain integrity. The Singapore regulation that came into effect on 1 January 2017 was widely perceived to be a significant step forward in promoting greater transparency and ensuring the accuracy of delivered tonnage in the port, but it hasn’t all been plain sailing.

07 Jun 2017

ABS Hosts Industry Leaders in Athens

Christopher J. Wiernicki (Photo: ABS)

ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, held its annual Hellenic National Committee meeting in Athens, Greece in June. “As the recognized classification leader in Greece, we bring together the best and brightest industry leaders for transparent, robust and engaging conversation related to key industry issues,” said ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. The committee meeting provides a forum for ABS Members


23 May 2017

IBIA Backs ICS, IMO Proposals on CO2 Emissions

Pressure is growing on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to deliver specific commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A proposal from the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and other shipping organisations offers a possible way forward. International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) explains what’s going on. IBIA believes in finding pragmatic and practical solutions to pursuing policy aims at the IMO, and what has been set out by ICS and others looks like a good compromise between the divergent positions we have seen. It also shows major shipping organisations taking a proactive stance. The proposed targets of maintaining international shipping’s annual total CO2 emissions below 2008 levels


24 Feb 2017

IBIA in Attack Mode

Bunker fuel company staff supervising supply operations at port [Photo: ©2016 Patrick King Photo for GAC]

The IMO’s MEPC 70 proposals for a marine fuels sulfur cap of 0.5% to be in place by 2020 have attracted severe criticism from several major stakeholders in the maritime sector, including the International Bunker Industry Association, the organization that defends the interests of bunker fuel suppliers. The IBIA has stated that several unknowns remain about the proposed limit and has asked whether assumed global capacity will translate into actual marine market supply in 2020: “Will refiners produce suitable fuels, and what will these fuels look like?

09 Feb 2017

Murphy Takes Up Role as Chief Executive of IBIA

Justin Murphy (Photo: IBIA)

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has introduced its new Chief Executive, Justin Murphy, who akes up his new position from February 13, 2017. From 2013 to 2015, Murphy was CEO of Brightoil Shipping, Singapore and Executive Director at HKSE listed Brightoil Petroleum (Holdings) Ltd, an Energy conglomerate with bunkering and ship owning divisions. Prior to that, Murphy held director and board positions at several firms involved in shipping, including Teekay, AET, and a stint as head of shipping at Macquarie Bank.

29 Dec 2016

Op/Ed: Shipping's Energy Challenge

© Pere Sanz / Adobe Stock

There is no more economically and environmentally efficient way of transporting the world’s goods than by sea. Compared to air or road freight, based on per ton of cargo shipped, shipping’s carbon footprint is small. Yet with the 60,000 or so ships that transport 80 percent of the world’s goods emitting about 1.12bn tons of CO2 each year, almost 4.5 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions, it is unequivocal that we need a viable way of reducing our environment impact. As other sectors reduce their carbon footprint shipping’s is likely to increase as an overall percentage.

08 Nov 2016

IBIA on Global sulphur cap

Even if, in theory, globally there is refining capacity to produce sufficient fuels to meet the 0.50% sulphur cap in 2020, if you take a more detailed look the picture is very different. In fact, several countries told the 70th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 70) that they would not have sufficient refining capacity to offer compliant fuels to ships in 2020. Some of these countries are major bunker markets today, providing large quantities of residual fuel oil to ships calling at their ports, and some are also major providers of residual fuels to bunker markets in other countries. International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has also spoken to representatives for other countries and refineries who have said that


02 Nov 2016

LNG Fuel is Not a Cure-all Solution

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is not a panacea to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and its increasing use as a marine fuel could be worse for the environment than burning heavy fuel oil, said Ian Adams, the former CEO of the International Bunker Industry Association. “Whilst it is well documented that LNG is an excellent solution for reducing SOx and NOx emissions, I am dismayed to see it being promoted as a solution for reducing GHGs,” Adams said, in stark contrast to claims that the use of LNG as a marine fuel can reduce the industry’s CO2 emissions by as much as 75 percent. Adams, a Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology who now heads the Association of Bulk Terminal Operators