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International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) chairman Jens Maul Jorgensen [pictured] called on all refiners, bunker suppliers and traders to offer products that meet ISO 2010 specifications at last night's annual IBIA Asia dinner.

Held at The Fullerton Hotel in Singapore, and attended by 280 guests, including Captain M Segar, Assistant Chief Executive at Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA), the dinner was hosted by IBIA and came at the end of Singapore Maritime Week.

Jorgensen, guest speaker at the event, noted that more suppliers are using ISO 2010-specification (spec) products, but called on all refiners, traders and suppliers to use the latest specs.

Addressing the diners, Jorgensen said: "The latest specs are not too expensive for owners. It's a problem we don't have any more because oil prices have dropped by almost 50 percent, and with prices around $340 per metric tonne there are no excuses. Refiners don't benefit when they blend the product down in quality because of a huge reduction, and P&I clubs can now press their clients to get the latest ISO specs inserted in their vessel description."

The evening also saw the award of honorary membership go to Captain Tey Yoh Huat, Senior Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore Centre for Maritime Studies, in recognition of his contribution to the maritime industry generally and, in particular, for his service to IBIA as Chairman of the IBIA (Asia) Bursary Committee.

Captain Tey was the inaugural chair of the Bursary committee, which provides support to young people engaged in a maritime career. The fund supports scholarships for young people who are undertaking cadetships.

Jason Leong, the recently appointed IBIA Regional Manager for Asia and Pacific, said: "The dinner has been a great success and something I would like to build upon, the opportunity to meet so many people from all aspects of the industry was a tremendous opportunity for me. I look forward to meeting many more."