IBIA’S CEO Peter Hall
The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has announced its biggest ever annual programme of international events. The 2015 programme includes regional forums, dinners, award ceremonies, training courses and a convention taking place in 11 different cities in Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The programme contains a mixture of member only and open-to-all events.
Additionally IBIA will be participating in two IMO working groups looking at fuel quality and fuel availability. Earlier this year In October the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 67 agreed to establish a correspondence group to develop draft guidance for assuring the quality of fuel oil delivered for use on board ships, and to consider the adequacy of the current legal framework in MARPOL Annex VI for assuring the quality of bunkers.
IBIA chief executive Peter Hall said:
“This is our most ambitious programme ever and builds on 25 years of experience. Our aim is to help improve standards across the marine fuels industry and support our members. These events and committees are all part of this drive. We’re running high level and basic training courses to ensure best practice; we’re deeply involved in developing new standards at IMO; we’re holding numerous dinners and social events around the world bringing buyers and sellers of marine fuel together and we are helping the industry get up to speed on the latest issues at our convention and forums.”
He added:
“Our annual dinner in London is of course our most popular event. Last year 1127 industry professionals attended our dinner at the Grovesnor House Hotel. We’re looking to break this record in 2015 and will be holding the dinner at the Park Plaza Westminster which can hold even more guests.”
Founded in 1989, IBIA provides a range of services to companies and individuals working in the marine fuels sector. It holds a consultative status at the International Maritime Organization and provides a vital role in helping to shape legislation, ensuring that the views of the users and suppliers of bunkers are taken into consideration.
Further details of membership can be found at http://ibia.net/join-us/
2015 programme
Date Event
January Basic Bunkering Courses Angola, Cape Town and Durban
9 February IBIA AGM Naval Club – London
9 February IBIA Annual Dinner Park Plaza Westminster – London
24-26 February IBIA Mediterranean Forum Gibraltar
16 March IBIA (Africa) AGM & Dinner Cape Town
25-27 March IBIA Basic Bunkering Course (FUJCON) Fujairah
23 April Sea Asia & IBIA (Asia) Gala Dinner & Awards
April IBIA Basic Bunkering Course Lagos, Nigeria
May IBIA Basic Bunkering Course Mauritius
May IBIA (Africa) Membership Luncheon Cape Town
19 June IBIA (Asia) Golf Challenge and Bursary awards Singapore
June IBIA – Basic Bunkering course Maritime Week Americas, Cartagena
3-5 August African Ports Evolution IBIA (Africa) Advanced Bunkering Training Course, Durban
9 September IBIA London International Shipping Week Forum, The Baltic Exchange, London
September-October Maritime Week, Cape Town
1-6 November IBIA International Convention, Cancun, Mexico
December IBIA (Africa) end of year drinks Cape Town
For further details please visit www.ibia.net
About IBIA
The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) exists to provide an international forum to address the concerns of all sectors of the international bunker industry; to represent the industry in discussions and negotiations with national and international policy makers, legislators and other groups and bodies; to review, clarify, improve, develop and endorse where appropriate, industry methods, practices and documentation; to increase the professional understanding and competence of all who work in the industry; to provide services and facilities for members and others as the Board shall from time to time consider appropriate.
IBIA gained consultative status with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in November 2005 and is represented at all relevant meetings.
IBIA actively seeks to involve is members through its Annual Convention by educating and motivating members to conclude on major issues and topics of the time, creating the “IBIA Position” to present to IMO.
IBIA champions the continued development of professionals within the bunker industry through its Bunker Courses and its Bunker Cargo Officer qualification. www.ibia.net
