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The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has appointed Captain Peter Hall as its new chief executive. A former CEO and harbour master of the Gibraltar Port Authority, Peter Hall’s 40 year career in the shipping industry has encompassed a wide range of roles including 18 years at sea, operations manager of a towing company and harbour master.

Taking up his new appointment at the beginning of April 2013, Hall will be replacing current chief executive, Cliff Brand, who has been head-hunted to be the marine director of the new King Abdullah Economic City Port in Saudi Arabia.

Welcoming Hall's appointment, IBIA chairman Nigel Draffin said: "Peter Hall takes on the role of chief executive at an exciting time for IBIA and his skills and experience are a natural fit. He succeeds Cliff Brand who has already set in motion our development plans for the next few years. Peter will build on these plans and refine them so that we continue to grow and meet the needs of our membership which represents all sectors of the marine fuel business. We warmly welcome him aboard."

Hall commented: "I am looking forward enormously to taking on the role of chief executive of IBIA. I see IBIA as a unique and crucial voice representing the interests of all involved in the supply and use of marine fuels. I am under no illusions that this will be a very demanding role; there is much to do, both for the membership specifically, and the industry as a whole but I am excited by the challenge and stimulated by the enthusiasm I have already experienced among IBIA’s elected board members."

Brand said: "It is with considerable regret that I am moving on from IBIA. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the association and it reassures me to know that in Peter I am handing over to a first class operator. This is in fact the second time that I have had the pleasure of being succeeded in a role by Peter; the first occasion was in Gibraltar in 2008, so there is a strong sense of déjà vu in what is happening. I wish Peter and IBIA every success as the association continues to pursue its strategies for membership growth and increasing the value of services provided to members."