Social distancing precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has boosted interest in fully electronic means of providing bunker delivery notes (BDNs), including counter-signatures. Fully electronic BDN solutions have already been developed by some IBIA members, but have so far failed to gain much traction. Part of the reason has… …more…
Unintended consequences
Less than a month into 2020, VLSFO came under attack by environmental groups. In this feature article for the first 2020 issue of World Bunkering, IBIA’s Director Unni Einemo examines potential undesirable side-effects of the 0.50% sulphur limit. Few involved in the bunker and shipping industries will have failed to… …more…
How to avoid IMO 2020 fuel problems
The implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit has gone smoother than many had anticipated, but stakeholders need to remain alert and follow best practices to minimise operational problems and safety issues. There are excellent tools available to help the industry, including the ‘Joint Industry Guidance on the supply and use… …more…
5-year anniversary for methanol-fuelled ferry as IMO guidelines are ready for approval
Stena Germanica, the first ship in the world to run on methanol as a marine fuel, has recorded five years of successful operation since this large ro-ro ferry was converted to be capable of running on the alternative clean-burning fuel. The 240-metre long ferry, with a capacity for 1500 passengers… …more…
Mauritius becomes MARPOL Annex VI signatory
Mauritius has become the latest IMO member state to sign up to MARPOL Annex VI. The Indian Ocean island nation’s accession to the air pollution prevention regulation was formalised on 23 March, and it will enter into force for Mauritius on 23 June 2020. The IMO says there are now… …more…
‘Pragmatic approach’ by port State inspection authorities during COVID-19 pandemic
Port State control (PSC) regimes have advised that inspection practices have been adjusted in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Physical on-board ship inspections have been reduced considerably to protect both port State control officers (PSCOs) and seafarers, but the PSC regimes have said they continue to work to target high-risk… …more…
Timing of postponed IMO meetings to be decided by Council
Several IMO meetings IBIA planned to take part in have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently all meetings scheduled up until the mid- June have been postponed “until further notice” and it remains unknown if or when they will be rescheduled. In response to the exceptional circumstances, the… …more…
IMO page for COVID-19 advice
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set up a public page containing a whole host of advice and information about COVID-19 and its impacts on shipping for IMO Member States, seafarers and shipping. It contains information circulated by IMO, documents regarding safety or port and port State control measures of… …more…
New chairman and board members at IBIA
As of 1 April, 2020, the International Bunker Industry Association welcomes Henrik Zederkof as the new Chairman of the Board, along with a new Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and four newly elected IBIA board members now officially taking up their posts. We are pleased to announce that the acting board of IBIA… …more…
It’s business, just not as usual – a message from IBIA
How quickly the world has changed. No sooner had we navigated relatively successfully into the new 2020 global low-sulphur era, when an unexpected and unprecedented challenge came our way. The coronavirus, or COVID-19, has caused a rapidly developing global emergency with impacts that we will not fully understand for some… …more…
