Press

IBIA appoints Bob Lintott as vice chairman - 20 April 2010

THE International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has appointed Bob Lintott, managing director- trading for US-based ISO Bunkers LLC, as vice chairman. He will succeed to the chairmanship when the current chair, Mike Ball, steps down in 2011.

Bob Lintott has over forty years experience in the global bunker industry. Currently head of trading at US-based ISO Bunkers LLC, he was formerly in senior positions with Bominflot in the USA. During his career he has purchased, traded and marketed bunkers globally.

Mike Ball, chairman of IBIA, says, “The board is delighted that Bob has agreed to step up to this position. His wide experience across the bunker industry will be invaluable to IBIA at a time when we face increasing regulation of the use of fuel and IBIA has to be a voice of reason and common sense for all sides of the marine fuel business.”

Bob Lintott says, “I’m proud to have been elected as vice chairman of IBIA, and look forward to helping it develop further as the global voice of the marine fuels industry. We have to make sure that regulators understand what ship owners and fuel suppliers need and why they need that.”

IBIA to Build on Social Networking - 20 April 2010

THE International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has appointed a new event manager with a specific brief to strengthen the association’s outreach on social networks and e-platforms. Charlotte Egan has joined IBIA’s Southampton-based team this week.

Charlotte says, “My first and most important role will be to build on the success of IBIA’s two flagship events, its annual Convention and Dinner. I’m also tasked to ensure that IBIA is properly represented at all bunker industry events, and I hope we shall be present wherever shipping needs to hear the voice of the bunker industry. Then I hope to extend the outreach of IBIA and develop it as a modern association by using the power of social networks and the internet more. IBIA is a true association of interests and members, and a true forum bringing a wide range of views together under one umbrella. My job will be to put in place the tools which will help members interact more easily and the association to interact more easily with other shipping industry and political stakeholders.”

Ian Adams, chief executive of IBIA, says, “We welcome Charlotte to IBIA. Her experience will help us build on the successful association and the events we already have, and to further strengthen that by using new media and networking. So far shipping has not embraced social networking as much as other industries, but a global association in a global business must surely benefit from enhanced linking up of members and interested parties. Charlotte will help us bring people together, in the traditional way, and on-line, hopefully showing the shipping industry a lead in this area. Exploiting the power of the internet can help the association to grow its membership and expand its sphere of influence.”

Charlotte Egan has six years experience in events management and marketing, commencing with working on cruise vessels for the Carnival Group, then working for the Royal Automobile Club, a life sciences company and the University of Southampton, where she helped promote a multi-disciplinary maritime group.

IBIA dispels confusion over EU directive on In-Port Sulphur Limits - 29 January 2010

THE International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has moved quickly to dispel the apparent confusion currently surrounding implementation of the EU directive requiring all ships to use low-sulphur fuel while at berth in EU ports.

EU Directive 2005/33/EC requires that, with effect from 1 January 2010, member states must take all necessary steps to ensure that ships at berth in EU ports do not use marine fuels with a sulphur content exceeding 0.1 per cent by mass. Although reports have been circulating in the industry that, because of the potential safety risks associated with the switchover on ships with unmodified boilers, the deadline may have been put back, IBIA stresses that such is not the case.

IBIA Chief Executive Ian Adams says, "We have heard various rumours, including one which suggests that the deadline for implementation of the EU directive has been postponed by six months. Nothing could be further from the truth. The directive came into force on 1 January, and applies to all ships operating to EU ports.

"Ships are not exempt on the ground that the fuel changeover is unsafe because modifications have not been made to its boilers, or to the ship itself. Clearly in such cases the expectation is not that the ship should engage in an unsafe practice but simply that it will not berth. Similarly, there is no automatic dispensation for ships which have made arrangements to carry out the necessary modifications but have not yet implemented them.

"There are very few exceptions to the rules. Although the European Commission has signified its awareness of the potential dangers associated with the switchover to low-sulphur fuel while in port, and has recommended to member states that they enforce the regulations with a degree of flexibility for a transitional period in those cases where there is detailed evidence of the existence of an approved plan for vessel and/or boiler modification, the directive is nevertheless now in force and EU Member States are obliged to enforce it. This means that all non-compliant ships are at risk."

IBIA concludes by emphasising that the operator of any ship bound for an EU port unable safely to comply with the EU directive should check with the relevant local authorities what control measures might be taken whilst the ship is berthed, before entering that port.

IBIA intervenes at IMO to prevent ban on blending afloat - 16 July 2009

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has intervened at the International Maritime Organisation to amend a controversial proposal to ban the blending of oil cargoes on board ships.

At the 59th session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in London from July 13-17, there was strong support for a proposal that would have prohibited any onboard in-tank blending while ships are 'at sea'. Such a ban would have had a potentially devastating effect on the routine, legitimate operations of many bunker suppliers, but a timely intervention by IBIA delegate and board member Trevor Harrison helped swing the MEPC narrowly in favour of an alternative wording.

Trevor Harrison explains, "Following IBIA's intervention, the proposal has been changed to include the wording 'during the sea voyage', rather than 'at sea'. This means that, although blending whilst under way will be outlawed, the long-established practice of blending whilst moored or alongside a stationary receiving vessel will be allowed to continue."

IBIA routinely monitors developments at IMO and, where appropriate, submits papers to various IMO committees on matters of concern to the bunkering industry. IBIA's delegates also attend relevant IMO committees and working groups, participating and intervening wherever appropriate.

IBIA says bunker delivery receipts must show true sulphur content - 9 July 2009

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has warned its members of the dangers arising from the failure on the part of some suppliers to put authentic sulphur content results on Bunker Delivery Receipts.

IBIA Chief Executive Ian Adams says, "Clearly this is not in compliance with MARPOL requirements and may create a problem for shipowners in terms of the selection of correct feed rates and Total Base Numbers (TBN) of cylinder oil.

Knowing the sulphur content of the fuel to be used is essential to engine efficiency and overall safety, and furthermore necessary to remain within the specific requirements applicable in Emissions Control Areas. The sulphur content of the fuel should always be clearly stated on the BDR."

IBIA emphasises that the ship's chief engineer should be vigilant in studying the BDR sulphur result and then using the appropriate cylinder oil feed rate and TBN oil. "Engine manufacturer information should be obtained on this, and followed carefully to avoid engine problems when using low-sulphur fuel," says Adams.

"Of course, in some ports, low-sulphur fuel is delivered even when it has not been specifically requested, because low-sulphur is the only type of fuel available in those places. Given the way in which fuel is traded, this can happen almost anywhere. For example, some ports in South America, West Africa and in some instances Canada, only have residual fuels with sulphur content of <1.0%m/m readily available"

It is worth noting that if a BDR has the sulphur reported as <4.5%m/m and yet the sulphur content is known to be <1.5%m/m, some administrations may still not consider this fuel compliant for SECA operations. It is therefore essential for ships to ensure that the actual sulphur content is reported on the BDR.