Around a thousand marine fuel professionals attended the
International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) annual dinner on Monday 20th February to mark the start of International Petroleum Week (IP Week) in London.
True to tradition, IBIA's chairman spoke about the association's activities over the past year, outlined priorities for the year ahead, thanked outgoing board members and welcomed the new.
Chairman
Robin Meech opened his speech by saying that IBIA is in a new era, with a new strategy and new management.
He highlighted that IBIA now encompasses a broader demographic, having recently welcomed the Institute of Bunker Buyers & Consumers into the fold, and also through IBIA's several associate members that are active in shipping, and alternative fuels such as LNG and methanol.
"This augments IBIA's status in the international communities, providing a balanced view tempered by listening to all elements of our industry," said Meech.
Meech spoke about IBIA's presence at the International Maritime Organization, where the association made contributions to the debate about implementing the 0.50 percent sulphur limit in 2020.
Looking ahead, Meech said a key activity this year will be the drafting of a guide to good practice for bunker suppliers, a task that the IMO has called on industry to take a lead on. Meech noted that this is also a cornerstone of IBIA's Port Charter - an initiative bringing together key ports, including Singapore, Rotterdam and Gibraltar, taking a lead in promoting best practices for bunkering.
Meech further emphasized the importance of training and the use of modern technology like mass flow metering systems to increase professionalism and raise standards in the industry.
On behalf of IBIA, Meech thanked two outgoing board members -
John Stirling of World Fuel Services, and
Steve Simms of Simms Showers LLP - for their services to the association, and welcomed the newly elected board members.
Lim Teck Cheng of Hong Lam Marine has been re-elected for his second term, while two new board members will begin their three-year term on 1st April. They are
Martin Laue Brodersen from the Danish shipping company Torm, and
Dilip Mody of India-based bunkering firm Global Fuels & Lubricants, who returns to the board after a one-year break.
At the end of his speech, Meech presented Captain
Peter Hall with a gift from the association in recognition for the work he has undertaken for IBIA over the past four years. Hall announced in November last year that he would retire from the role as IBIA's chief executive.
This year's annual dinner was the first opportunity for IBIA's new Chief Executive,
Justin Murphy, to meet the members. Murphy told the dinner guests he was "extremely proud" to take up the role and that all those present should be proud because the bunker industry drives global trade and plays a significant role in bringing prosperity to communities all around the world.
"IBIA's strategy is to continue to attract members from every part of the globe and the bunker value chain; to work with members to enhance the reputation of the bunker industry; and to lobby effectively, to be your voice, with all of our key stakeholders," said Murphy.
