BUNKERING & SHIPPING IN TRANSITION – IBIA Conference Series 2021

Speakers

• Milan Abovich – Bunker Manager, Copec Marine Fuels View full bio
  Close

  Milan Abovich – Bunker Manager, Copec Marine Fuels

  Milan Abovich started his professional Career in the retail sector of Copec 8 years ago.

  Graduated in Business and Administration (Ing Comercial) from Universidad del Desarrollo.

  For the last 6 years, Milan has been in charge of the Bunkering Business in Chile, together a professional and unique team in order to comply Copec´s promise “First in Service”.

  We cover 4.300 kms of sea shore, using 17 fuel plants and 2 Bunker Ships to make deliveries in 26 ports.

  In 2020, Copec´s Bunkering area expanded and now we also deliver Marine Lubricants to the vessels navigating through Chile.

• Wajdi Abdmessih - President, Seahawk Services View full bio
  Close

  Wajdi Abdmessih - President, Seahawk Services

  Wajdi Abdmessih, the founder and the President of Seahawk Services, has over 25 years’ experience in fuel oil testing and inspection.  Wajdi has held various positions in a Marine fuel inspection and testing company as a laboratory manager, branch manager, technical director,  vice president and president. He has personally analyzed hundreds of thousands of Marine fuel oil samples from across the world, work with fuel oil refinery’s as well as fuel suppliers on fuel blending and troubleshooting hundreds of fuel problems and effectively help fuel oil management/operator on navigation problematic fuels.

• Ángel Canessa - General Manager, Head of Bunker Procurement & Fleet Management, Ultranav View full bio
  Close

  Ángel Canessa - General Manager, Head of Bunker Procurement & Fleet Management, Ultranav

  Angel Canessa has almost 30 years of experience in the Shipping Business, including over 20 years in Bunker Procurement activities.

  After retiring from the Chilean Navy in 1991 he started his shipping career in Compañia Sud Americana de Vapores – CSAV (at present merged with Hapag Lloyd) and in April 2018 was hired by Ultranav as Head of Bunkers. Nowadays also performing responsibilities as Head of Shipmanagement.

  Angel leads the Bunker Desk in Chile working closely together with the Bunker Team in Copenhagen (Ultrabulk) taking care of bunker contract negotiations and supporting all initiatives related to technological innovations for more efficient vessels and compliance of forthcoming emission regulations.

  He holds a degree as Naval and Civil Industrial Engineer and MS in Industrial Engineering from LSU (USA).

• Rhiannah Carver - Director, EPMO and Sustainability, CSL Group View full bio
  Close

  Rhiannah Carver - Director, EPMO and Sustainability, CSL Group

  Rhiannah joined CSL in 2014 as Environmental Coordinator in the CSL Australia division. Since then she has relocated to head office in Montreal and held multiple positions in the Environment and Safety function. In her current role as the Director of the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) and Sustainability, Rhiannah is helping CSL explore the rapidly evolving world of ESG and co-create strategies to address sustainability risks and opportunities.

• Chris Chatterton - COO, Methanol Institute  View full bio
  Close

  Chris Chatterton - COO, Methanol Institute 

  Mr. Chatterton joined the Methanol Institute in February 2015, managing MI’s CIS, Asia Pacific and Middle East operations.  Over the past 20 years, Mr. Chatterton has worked at the executive level across the energy, shipping, automobile, renewables and chemical sectors, where he has been responsible for creating strategy, fundraising, restructuring, crisis management and operations for both start-ups and multinationals.

  After launching a successful business incubator in Kazakhstan, circa 1994, Chris discovered a passion for educating, connecting and guiding like-minded entrepreneurs.  Since then, he has led several energy and agricultural organizations to successful IPOs in addition to numerous cross-border private placements in the EU, Asia, Middle East and CIS and is active in the start-up space as a founder, thought leader and investor.

  Mr. Chatterton is fluent in Russian and holds an EMBA from HEC Paris.

• Stephen H. Crolius, President and Co-Founder, Carbon-Neutral Consulting, View full bio
  Close

  Stephen H. Crolius, President and Co-Founder, Carbon-Neutral Consulting,

  Stephen H. Crolius is President and Co-Founder of Carbon-Neutral Consulting, President of the Ammonia Energy Association, and Co-Director of the Vehicle-to-Grid EV School Bus Initiative.  He has 35 years of experience as a business strategy professional at The Boston Consulting Group and in subsequent roles. In 2006, spurred by his interest in alternative energy technologies, Steve joined the William J. Clinton Foundation’s Climate Initiative (CCI).  After his departure from the Foundation in 2013, Steve co-founded the Vehicle-to-Grid EV School Bus Initiative. The initiative is currently implementing the $10 million V2G School Bus Commercialization Project with lead funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. Also in 2013, Steve joined the Board of Directors of the Ammonia Energy Association and has since played a leadership role as the organization with its 100+ industry members has become an active voice in energy policy discussions around the world.

• Frank Dahan - Director, Transportation Services and Global Fuel Strategy, CSL Group View full bio
  Close

  Frank Dahan - Director, Transportation Services and Global Fuel Strategy, CSL Group

  Frank Dahan has 25 year of experience in the Bunker Procurement strategy activities.

  In 2017, Frank joined Montreal based worldwide shipowner Canada Steamship Lines, also known as Group CSL Inc.  With offices in Canada, USA, Australia, London, and Asia, he heads the fuel desk and elaborates the Global fuel strategy.  In 2019, Frank evolved to Director of Transport Services for the Canadian Fleet and Global Fuel Strategy.

  Frank Dahan also supports all sustainable alternative fuel initiatives at Group CSL Inc, such as the Biofuel Fuel Testing program launched in 2019.

  Frank Dahan graduated John Molson school of business in 1996 with a Finance major and minor in economics.  That same year Frank joined a Montreal based bunker trading firm where he evolved to Head of bunker trading.

• Bud Darr, Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs, MSC Group View full bio
  Close

  Bud Darr, Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs, MSC Group

   

  Bud began his education in Submarine Nuclear Engineering and later obtained his formal undergraduate education at the US Merchant Marine Academy, where he was trained as a Deck Officer. During his service with the US Coast Guard, he studied law at the George Washington University Law School. He most recently led the Maritime Policy efforts of the Cruise Lines International Association prior to joining the MSC Group in 2017.

  Today, Bud is engaged across MSC’s Cargo and Passenger divisions, developing the company’s central Government Affairs function, based at the Group’s headquarters in Geneva. He is closely involved in MSC’s response to developments in environmental public policy and regulation and other industry-wide issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, maritime security, safety at sea, and international shipping policy. He serves on the Boards for the UK Chamber of Shipping, BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping, Liberian Shipowners’ Council, and Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel.

• Roger Dekkers, Group Trade Finance Director, Monjasa Group View full bio
  Close

  Roger Dekkers, Group Trade Finance Director, Monjasa Group

  Roger Dekkers is Group Trade Finance Director for the Monjasa Group, based in Dubai and amongst others globally responsible for the group’s financing needs. Roger is an experienced global trade finance executive and has worked in Europe, the Americas and the Middle East. He started his professional career in 2005 as an international management trainee at Fortis Bank in Europe from where he worked his way up through the ranks to become regional head of trade commodity finance with ABN AMRO Bank prior to joining Monjasa 3 years ago.

• Nigel Draffin, Consultant View full bio
  Close

  Nigel Draffin, Consultant

  NIGEL DRAFFIN served at sea with Shell from 1966, coming ashore in 1979 working in New Building, Research and Operations departments.  In 1996 he moved to Bunker broking first at Gibsons then at LQM Petroleum Services where he was Technical Manager before retiring in 2015.

  He has sailed on and supervised the construction and operation of bulk carriers, oil tankers and gas carriers. He has acted as a consultant on technical issues for over 22 years. He given expert opinions and is a supporting member of LMAA. A founder member of the International Bunker Industry Association, serving on its board and as Chairman in 2012. He is a member of the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology, Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights.

  He is the course director of the Petrospot bunkering courses and a regular presenter at bunker conferences. He has written 12 books on Bunkering and Shipping published by Petrospot.

• Unni Einemo, Director, International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) View full bio
  Close

  Unni Einemo, Director, International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA)

  Unni Einemo joined the IBIA secretariat in April 2016 as its IMO Representative, Media and Communications Manager after two years as a non-Executive board director. She was promoted to Director in order to serve as the global head of the Association in September 2018 following a unanimous decision by the board of IBIA.

  Prior to joining IBIA, she worked for two decades as a journalist and analyst in the marine fuel and shipping industries in her capacity as Managing Editor for the highly regarded Bunkerworld and Sustainable Shipping specialist news services at Petromedia, and later Platts, which acquired Petromedia in July 2015. She has gained expert knowledge through engaging with industry, attending numerous maritime and energy conferences, and regularly attending IMO meetings, and has herself become a sought-after speaker at industry events.

  Lloyd’s List named her as one of ‘Ten women influencing shipping in 2019’ ahead of the publication’s annual Top 100 most influential people in shipping series, and among the “Top 10 in regulation” in 2018.

  Unni is a Masters Graduate from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, with a major in Contemporary Politics of the Middle East.

• Matias Engel - Bunkers, Hafnia View full bio
  Close

  Matias Engel - Bunkers, Hafnia

  Since starting his career in shipping and bunkering in 2013, Matias has experienced the industry from both the selling side as a bunker trader, as well as buying side in his current position with Hafnia.

  Matias’ role in Hafnia is primarily focused on day-to-day bunker requirements, contract negotiation, bunker planning, etc. for Hafnia’s tanker fleet, as well as the members within Hafnia’s Bunker Alliance. The combined fleet of 550+ vessels covers ports worldwide and Matias’ main area of focus is the Americas. Consequently, he will be relocating to Hafnia’s Houston office in 2021, to move closer to his current network of suppliers, clients, and colleagues, and to develop new relationships.

  Apart from the daily tasks on the bunker desk, Matias is also engaged in the utilization and analysis of bunker data to improve decision-making and mitigate the various risks involved with bunkers in a rapidly changing market. Exploring the digital opportunities available to adapt to our industry, is an essential step in preparation for the future of bunkering, moving towards a more transparent agenda.

• Sandi Ennor - President, Transparensea Fuels, LLC View full bio
  Close

  Sandi Ennor - President, Transparensea Fuels, LLC

  Sandi Ennor is the CEO and founder of Transparensea Fuels, LLC, an independent marine fuels brokerage company based in New Canaan, Connecticut, USA.

  Sandi founded Transparensea Fuels in June 2017 and has nearly 15 years experience in the marine fuels space.

  Transparensea Fuels is committed to bringing clarity, ethics, expertise and professionalism to marine fuels procurement.  Her team  brokered more than 700,000 mts around the globe in 2020 and Sandi has her eye on expanding her team and their offerings in the coming months.

  Sandi is currently serving as the Vice President of the Connecticut Maritime Association and is an active member of IBIA and WISTA.

  Transparensea Fuels is a US certified veteran-owned and woman-owned small business.

• Eric Evans, Energy and Fuel Consultant View full bio
  Close

  Eric Evans, Energy and Fuel Consultant

  Eric Evans is a seasoned executive with over 40 years of leadership experience and expertise in finance operations, global sourcing and fuel management of marine fuels, sales and marketing of global fuel supply, marine transportation and infrastructure management, sustainability projects, development of alternative fuels, and managing environmental compliance measures to meet the IMO 2020 regulations. During his career he has worked for large NYSE traded companies including Carnival Corporation, EL Paso/ Coastal Refining and Marketing and ICON International. 

  Currently, Eric is owner of Evans Advisory LLC serving as an Energy Consultant / Strategic Advisor for Marine Fuels, LNG, ESG, and Sustainability.  He is supporting and engaged with various clients in marine fuels management, global procurement, innovative and creative finance, petroleum sourcing, and oil infrastructure projects.

  Eric’s experience includes working on various projects including Carnival Corporation’s Exhaust Gas Cleaning Project with the USCG and EPA, and the development and implementation of bulk LNG as a marine fuel. Other leadership responsibilities include lobbying and government affairs, international sales and marketing, asset management, human resources, and business development. He has vast experience in managing large billion-dollar budgets utilizing various innovative strategies and market driven negotiations.

  Éric is a founding and two-time Board Member of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), served on the Florida Department of Natural Resource Oil Spill Council following the enactment of OPA 90, and is a globally recognized fuel expert with extensive experience supporting the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA).

• Anita Gajadhar  - Managing Director, Proman Marketing, Logistics and Shipping View full bio
  Close

  Anita Gajadhar  - Managing Director, Proman Marketing, Logistics and Shipping

  Anita Gajadhar is Managing Director of Proman Shipping and Managing Director of Marketing and Logistics for Proman.

  In these roles, Ms Gajadhar develops and implements the company’s global shipping and marketing strategy and oversees all of its operations. Ms Gajadhar has over 18 years’ experience in the energy sector in Trinidad and Tobago and Europe and has worked for companies in the Proman family for sixteen years.

  Prior to her appointment to the role of Managing Director of Proman Shipping, Ms Gajadhar was Commercial Manager at Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Limited (MHTL), a leading player in the energy sector and also a member of the Proman family of companies.

  Ms Gajadhar has been a member of the Methanol Institute Board of Directors since 2019, and is a member of the Boards of Helm Proman Methanol and Proman Stena Bulk Ltd.

  Ms Gajadhar holds an MBA from Heriot-Watt University, a bachelor’s degree in Management Studies and Finance from the University of the West Indies and a Certificate in Maritime Law and Shipping Contracts.

   

• Nikolas Gkikas - CEO, Nereus Digital Bunkers View full bio
  Close

  Nikolas Gkikas - CEO, Nereus Digital Bunkers

  Nikolas Gkikas has 15 years of experience in Maritime industry as an Operations Manager, Port Agent and Marine Fuel Broker. Nikolas has worked for four years in Samos Steamship and in Voras Navigation in operations department. He has spent 6 years in the US, as an operations manager in General Steamship Agencies Inc. located in Los Angeles, and as a bunker broker in LQM Petroleum Services, Connecticut. Then he returned to Greece to work as a Marine Fuel Trader, and start his own business. Nikolas is the founder of Nereus Digital Bunkers, and he is in charge of supervising the bunker brokerage department. With his vision, and his industry knowledge in many important sections he is charge of developing the software while satisfying customer needs by applying competitive trends

• Jack Grogan - Senior Account Manager, VPS View full bio
  Close

  Jack Grogan - Senior Account Manager, VPS

  Jack is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy with a degree in Marine Engineering Systems and a US Coast Guard license as a Third Assistant Engineer.  He also served in the US Naval Reserve, achieving the rank of Lieutenant.  After a brief stint in the aerospace industry, he worked as a Technical Coordinator for the largest, privately owned shipping company in the world.  In 1993, Jack entered the bunker industry full time as a Technical Coordinator for Coastal Corporation, a diversified energy and petroleum products company in the Fortune 500.  He later became a marine sales representative and then Bunkering Manager.  He joined Shell Marine Products in Houston in 2004 where he directed Shell’s bunkering activities in the Americas region.

  Jack joined Veritas Petroleum Services in 2015 and currently serves as Senior Sales Manager.  He has more than 25 years of dedicated experience in the bunker industry.

• Helle Graesdal - Head of Bunkers/Alliance Executive, Frontline and Golden Ocean  View full bio
  Close

  Helle Graesdal - Head of Bunkers/Alliance Executive, Frontline and Golden Ocean 

  Helle Græsdal has over 20 years of experience in the commodity trading, marine fuel and shipping industries. She has been Head of Bunkers for the John Fredriksen Group’s Frontline and Golden Ocean since September 2015.

  Helle is also an Alliance Executive for the Trafigura, Frontline and Golden Ocean marine fuels supply and procurement joint-venture, TFG Marine, providing business development support in the procurement and supply of both traditional and sustainable marine fuels of this rapidly growing company.

  Prior to her current positions with Frontline and TFG Marine, Helle worked as Bunker Procurement Manager for Western Bulk shipping company from 2009-2015 and as a trader and broker for Entranor Energy Trading Norway .

  Helle holds a degree in Business administration and  International marketing from the university of BI.

• Jack Jordan - Managing Editor, Ship & Bunker View full bio
  Close

  Jack Jordan - Managing Editor, Ship & Bunker

  Jack Jordan is an experienced financial editor and reporter with a degree in Arabic and Russian, a postgraduate diploma in newspaper journalism and several years’ history of covering the oil and shipping industries and capital markets. His career has included appointments with Bloomberg, Argus Media, and S&P Global Platts. Jack is based in London, UK.

• Peter I. Keller, Principal, Peter I. Keller and Associates, LLC View full bio
  Close

  Peter I. Keller, Principal, Peter I. Keller and Associates, LLC

  Peter I. Keller is the Principal of Peter I. Keller and Associates, LLC, a consulting and advisory practice serving the International Maritime Industry.  Mr. Keller is also Chairman of SEA/LNG, a London based organization that is committed to furthering the use of LNG as an important, environmentally superior maritime fuel.

  Most recently, Mr. Keller served as Executive Vice President of TOTE Inc. and oversaw the development of the world’s first LNG powered, dual fuel container vessels, the Marlin Class.    From 2012 until 2014 Mr. Keller was President of Sea Star .  Previously from 2000 until 2010, Mr. Keller was EVP and Chief Operating Officer of NYK Group Americas, Inc. During his tenure at NYK he was also a member of the Governing Board of NYK in Tokyo for a number of years. He started his career in 1968 at Sea-Land  and  later led the CAST Group.

  Mr. Keller has acted as a Consultant to many leading Container Carriers as well as Ports, Terminal Operators and Intermodal service providers prior to joining NYK in late 1999.

  Mr. Keller was inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame in 2006 at the United Nations in New York. He is a Past Member of “The Box Club” and has served on many Industry and Labor  Relations  Boards.

   

  He was recently featured in Dynasties of the Sea written by Lori Ann LaRocco and published in 2018 by Marine Money.

   

• Georgia Kounalakis - Managing Director, Bunker One USA Inc. View full bio
  Close

  Georgia Kounalakis - Managing Director, Bunker One USA Inc.

  Georgia is a highly skilled and accomplished marine fuels executive serving in various leadership roles for leading both private and publicaly-traded Independent physical supply bunkering companies. She is experienced in the
  development and implementation of corporate strategic plans in the marine fuels sector and brings almost twenty years’ of experience in bunker fuel trading, business development, logistics, and M&A.
  In addition, she has led new business start-ups, expanded businesses into new markets, and taken a lead role in capital raising efforts. Her accomplishments are many and include successful conclusion of multiple acquisitions, various structured transactions involving investment in existing bunkering markets as well as non traditional locations. Georgia’s success is rooted in her ability to use market,
  industry, competitor and economic analysis to identify and capitalize on business growth opportunities. She uses her in depth market knowledge and understanding of the North American Marine fuels business and shipping markets to take a proactive response to risks and opportunities, and as a baseline for continuous quality improvement in logistics and product quality control.
  Georgia has been selected by CEOs as well as several executive management teams to serve as a member of a strategic task force focusing on global business growth planning. Georgia is a well known figure in the marine fuels industry with extensive relationships in the maritime arena, refineries, and the finance community.

• Kostas Ladis - Sales & Purchase Manager, B&L TRANSOIL (HOLDINGS) LTD View full bio
  Close

  Kostas Ladis - Sales & Purchase Manager, B&L TRANSOIL (HOLDINGS) LTD

  A marine industry veteran with deep cross-segment experience, Kostas started out as a bunker trader during his college years, where he gained a BA in Economics and a Masters degree in Shipping and Transport.  While holding key positions in ship finance, operations and chartering, Kostas also added a Masters in Maritime Law. Returning to the bunker industry, Kostas is Sales & Purchase Manager for B&L TRANSOIL (HOLDINGS) LTD in Athens, Greece, where he leads business development and counterparty credit risk assessment.

• Alberto Marti Biurrarena - Director, Triton Energy View full bio
  Close

  Alberto Marti Biurrarena - Director, Triton Energy

  Bachelors: University of Miami: International Finance and Marketing, Miami, Florida, USA (1996-2000)

  Masters: City University, Cass Business School, Master in Shipping, Trade and Finance, London, UK (2001-2002)

  Triton Energy of Panama (2003-today)

• Michael Mcnamara - Vise President, Carnival View full bio
  Close

  Michael Mcnamara - Vise President, Carnival

  Michael is the Vice President, Global Fuel Sourcing for Carnival Corporation.  He has a diverse set of experiences in the petroleum and shipping industries that spans over 30 years and covers all aspects of finance, production, processing, transporting, selling, buying and testing petroleum products.

  Prior to joining Carnival Corporation & PLC, he served Managing Director & President, Americas for Veritas Petroleum Services B.V. where he oversaw all aspects of Sales, Marketing, and Operations for North America and South America

  Prior to joining Veritas Petroleum Services, he was responsible for coordinating global strategies for all aspects of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines fuel exposure and energy expense across all of the corporation’s operations, including fuel procurement, emission abatement, fuel/emission regulation, fuel hedging, and energy efficiency programs.

  Michael holds an MBA in international business and finance from Oklahoma City University, and has completed the Executive Management Program at Wharton School of Business

• Soren Meyer - CEO,  Zero North  View full bio
  Close

  Soren Meyer - CEO,  Zero North 

  Søren took up the role of Chief Executive of ZeroNorth in January 2020, and led the maritime technology company as it transitioned from a spin-off of Maersk Tankers to a fully independent organisation.

  Prior to his current post, Søren held leadership roles in Maersk Tankers, including Chief Asset Officer, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer and Head of MR Vessels. Søren’s core focus is doing his part to tackle climate change with immediate effect, driving business growth with a greater purpose, and supporting ZeroNorth’s mission to digitalise shipping for the climate.

• Frédéric Meyer, Head of Strategy & Projects, Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions (TMFGS) View full bio
  Close

  Frédéric Meyer, Head of Strategy & Projects, Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions (TMFGS)

  Frédéric Meyer is the Head of Strategy & Projects for Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions (TMFGS), Total’s dedicated business in charge of worldwide bunkering activities. He oversees a team that focuses on low-carbon alternative marine fuel projects, R&D programs and industry initiatives.

  With 20+ years’ experience in the energy sector, Mr. Meyer joined Total in 1992 and has held leadership positions in the Marketing Services and Gas, Renewables & Power (GRP) branches of Total. His previous roles included managing Total’s Special Fluids and Additives business unit in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions, and Total’s Commodities Trading business for Asia Pacific and Atlantic markets.

  Mr. Meyer is a graduate in Chemical Engineering from the École Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques. He also holds a Post-Graduate in industrial engineering from the École des Mines of Nancy, and in Industrial Marketing from the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers of Paris.

• Jeff Mildner - Founder, Vortex Development Group View full bio
  Close

  Jeff Mildner - Founder, Vortex Development Group

  Jeff Mildner brings 30+ years of software experience to the bunker industry and is the CTO at Vortex Development Group.  Vortex specializes in providing electronic solutions for complex paperwork, providing Marpol Annex XI compliant Electronic Bunker Delivery Notes (E-BDN’s^®) and other associated paperwork.

  Digital Bunker is for fuel deliveries made via Ex-pipe, Truck or Barge (with or without Mass Flow Meters).  The goal at Vortex is to transform an industry dependent on rubber stamps and inkpads, ushering in 21^st century technology.  For businesses today, it’s about speed, legibility, compliance, and the time-cost of money.  Digital Bunker can shorten the time from BDN to invoice from days or weeks to less than a minute.

  Available on the App Store and Google Play, Digital Bunker is offered as a Software as a Solution (SaaS) service—pricing is based on a customized scope of work and the number of subscribers per company.

• John Phillips - Director/Consultant, Awyr Las Ltd View full bio
  Close

  John Phillips - Director/Consultant, Awyr Las Ltd

  John has an MSc in Port Management, a BSc (Hons) in Maritime Business with Maritime Law, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, a Chartered Member of the Institute of Logistics & Transport, a Member of the Institute of Petroleum and a Member of both IBIA and IECA.

   

  Returning from Singapore, he has over 38 years’ experience in the sector. Initially in port agency and tanker operations in the UK, Greece and Saudi Arabia his skill sets beyond this include on/off hire, ship-vetting, S&P, and drybulk.

  After postgraduate studies at University of Plymouth, his focus has been on marine and bunker credit management. He has worked for MRC/Lloyd’s List, and Ocean Intelligence headed bunker credit at Chemoil, Soyuz and most recently GP. John became a director of Awyr Las Pte Ltd in 2011 and has continually redeveloped and improved the Credit Model used at Chemoil into OI-CAM and later GP-CAM and now ALL/MW-CAM.

• Christian Plum - Co-Founder of BunkerMetric View full bio
  Close

  Christian Plum - Co-Founder of BunkerMetric

  Christian Plum, is Co-Founder of BunkerMetric, which provides Analytical IT tools for the Bunkering Industry. Our tools give decision support for bunker buyers / sellers / traders and brokers by giving overview of supply, demand and costs in their markets.

  Our tool BunkerPlanner aids bunker buyers in choosing the right port, volume and grade for their vessels journey, to minimize costs. While respecting all operational, commercial and regulatory constraints.

  Christian has a master’s in computer science and a Ph.D. in Operations Research from Technical University of Denmark, focusing on Algorithms for design of containership ship networks. He is (Co-)author of numerous peer reviewed articles in top scientific journals on bunker purchasing and design of maritime transportation networks.

  He has worked 8 years in the Maersk Group, starting at Maersk Oil Trading in 2007 developing a decision support tools for bunker purchasing, followed by various positions at Maersk Line developing customized analytical tools.

• Andrew Rakestraw - Senior Adviser,  Special Presidential Envoy for Climate View full bio
  Close

  Andrew Rakestraw - Senior Adviser,  Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

  Andrew Rakestraw advises Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on issues related to the International Maritime Organization and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, where he also serves as U.S. Deputy Head of Delegation. Mr. Rakestraw worked in the U.S. Department of State’s climate change office from 2013 to 2019, where he served as, among other things, the lead U.S. negotiator for greenhouse gas issues at the IMO. In 2019, he joined the State Department’s Office of the Legal Adviser, and in 2021 returned to working on climate change issues.

• Alexis X. Rodriguez  - Environmental Protection Specialist Panama Canal Authority View full bio
  Close

  Alexis X. Rodriguez  - Environmental Protection Specialist Panama Canal Authority

  Obtained his degree in Laws and Political Science from Catholic University Santa Maria La Antigua with honors, Magna Cum Laude.  He holds a Master in Maritime Law, a Master in Maritime Business Administration in Ports, Environmental Management and Carbon Neutral, from Earth University, Deusto University, Bilbao, Spain and Catholic University Santa Maria La Antigua receiving Summa Cum Laude Honors.  He also holds a MBA from INCAE Business School and a Postgraduate in Maritime Energy from the World Maritime University.

  Mr. Rodriguez was Professor of International law and international conventions on maritime issues, pollution and climate change at Catholic Universidad Santa Maria La Antigua in the areas. He was also visiting Professor at Sergio Arboleda University in Santa Marta, Colombia.

  In the public sector he worked at the Panama Maritime Authority as Head of Compliance and Enforcement Department and at the National Environmental Authority as Director of the International Affairs Office.

   

  Alexis Rodriguez has also worked in non-governmental organizations focused on environmental conservancy and has participated as speaker / moderator at International conferences related to environmental and maritime sector.

  Currently, as a specialist in environmental protection in the Panama Canal Authority, seeks to strengthen the environmental policies of the Organization, in order to enhance The Panama Canal Route as the Green Route of the international maritime industry.

   

• Alok Sharma, Senior Vice President, Inatech View full bio
  Close

  Alok Sharma, Senior Vice President, Inatech

  Based at the company’s UK headquarters, Alok Sharma is responsible for the global business development of Inatech’s portfolio products for the Oil Trading and Marine Industries.

  During his career he has also headed global purchasing and commercial departments within Marine, Express and Logistics industries. He has been responsible for energy procurement/trading and risk management in various capacities. He frequently contributes to the “industry debate” through articles, webinars to assist in Shipping and Bunkering industries work together as strategic partners.

  Alok has experience in implementing large strategic projects including IT, Commercial, Supply Chain and M&A. Prior to joining Inatech, he worked in senior positions for the Royal Mail, Quantum and the CSAV Group. He also has worldwide sailing experience on cargo ships.

  Alok Sharma is a Master Mariner, and has an MBA from the London Business School.

   

• Jason Silber - Managing Director, Seacred View full bio
  Close

  Jason Silber - Managing Director, Seacred

  Jason has been observing the ever-morphing marine and bunker scene for the better part of a quarter century.  Starting out in 1995 at Oxford-based MRC (the stone-age era predecessor to Lloyds Intelligence), he soon became team leader of their US office.   Following a diaspora in finance and a deep longing for the marine business, Jason jumped back into the briny as a senior analyst at Ocean Intelligence, moving on to found the business development unit of Peninsula Petroleum Ltd, and later shifting over to head Platts Ocean Intelligence, followed by the founding of SeaCred LLC in 2019, an innovative, rapid-response, get-smart-quick marine credit reporting and charter check agency.  Jason authors numerous articles on the sector and publishes the highly-anticipated semi-annual ‘Top Ten Bunker Players’ market survey report, in partnership with Ship & Bunker.

• J. Stephen Simms - Simms Showers Llp View full bio
  Close

  J. Stephen Simms - Simms Showers Llp

  Stephen (“Steve”) Simms is a Principal of Simms Showers LLP.  He serves as Chair of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) Legal Working Group and is a past IBIA’s Board member.

  Simms Showers is one of the world’s most active law firms working in the area of bunker trader, broker and supplier representation, vessel arrest, maritime attachment, and related maritime remedies for creditors. The Firm has to date recovered over $700 million for its clients as the result of vessel arrest and maritime attachment proceedings throughout the world.

  Mr. Simms was selected for the United States Department of Justice, Honor Law Graduates Program and served as a federal prosecutor.  He was Editor‑in‑Chief of the Northwestern Journal of International Law and Business at Northwestern University School of Law (Chicago),  holds an M.A. in International Studies from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and a B.A. in International Studies from The Johns Hopkins University.

  He is the Husband of his wife of 30 years, Denise, and Dad of daughter Alison and son John,  and of West Highland White Terrier Barrett, who enjoys chasing squirrels with the same enthusiasm that Mr. Simms has for chasing ships.

• Zack Stansbury - Commercial Director, GCC Supply and Trading View full bio
  Close

  Zack Stansbury - Commercial Director, GCC Supply and Trading

  Zach Stansbury manages GCC Supply and Trading’s commercial businesses, which include marine fuel bunkering, fuel oil supply and trading, distillate fuel supply and trading, and naphtha supply. Trades fuel oil and distillate fuel components, and finished fuel products, acquiring fuel components from various production and trading sources across US and international markets. Manages marketing strategies to both retail and wholesale fuel markets. Blends finished bunker fuel to the appropriate ISO 8217 specifications for both fuel oil and distillate fuel requirements in the US Gulf, at Texas International Terminals in Galveston, Texas. Develops and execute derivatives strategies, which include trading crude oil and oil products futures, swaps and options, as a both a risk management function and speculative trading strategies for GCC Supply and Trading’s commercial businesses.

• Gerry Van Geyzel - Founder and CEO, Clearlynx Llc View full bio
  Close

  Gerry Van Geyzel - Founder and CEO, Clearlynx Llc

  B.A Economics-Queens College -City University of New York.

  MBA -Accounting and Financial Control-New York University

  Director of Operations -Seatrain Lines New York

  Bunker Broker -Bunker Fuels Corp New York

  Founder and Ceo -LQM Petroleum  Services inc( Intl Bunker Brokers)-1982-2015

  Founder and Ceo-Clearlynx Llc( Saas online bunker platform)-2015  to present.

   

• Hauk Wahl - Business Development Manager, Intertek Lintec View full bio
  Close

  Hauk Wahl - Business Development Manager, Intertek Lintec

  Hauk Wahl is the Business Development Manager for Intertek Lintec, responsible for the Americas and Scandinavian markets.

  Prior to joining Intertek Lintec, Hauk Wahl spent 21 years in the Fuel Quality Testing and Bunker Quantity Survey business, holding positions in Sales and Management in Oslo, Fujairah and Houston.

  Part of his career, he also worked with Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems and Marine Radios.

  Hauk holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master’s Degree in Management from BI Norwegian Business School.

  Hauk resides in Houston, Texas.

• Felix Yamasato - Senior Analyst, Infospectrum View full bio
  Close

  Felix Yamasato - Senior Analyst, Infospectrum

  I grew up in Peru, but I was raised by my Japanese grandparents. Thanks to a tennis scholarship, I graduated from Temple University, in Philadelphia, with a triple major in International Business Administration, Economics and Finance. Upon graduation, I started my career in maritime credit risk assessment with MRC, which was part of the publishing side of Lloyd’s. The latter major marine insurance group had recently spun off its publishing assets into an independent publicly quoted company, whiich prominently included the oldest and most respected maritime business newspaper, Lloyd’s List. I learned about the maritime business there, eventually heading the North American office of the credit assessment subdivision (under what became known as Lloyd’s List Intelligence). After more than 15 years at Lloyd’s, I joined the Peninsula Petroleum group, which had recently opened a US Gulf bunkering operation, in 2013, helping their marketing group grow their global business. By 2016, I was back in the risk assessment world when Infospectrum Ltd was looking grow its Americas team, essentially re-joining some of analysts with whom I had started my carrier at MRC and had formed Infospectrum Ltd just a few years into my career.  Infospectrum Ltd has grown to become the leading provider of specialist commercial reports covering the marine and commodity trading industries.  With headquarters in Oxford, England and regional offices in Continental Europe, North America, Singapore and Australia, Infospectrum Ltd issues reports that are used by a number of clients for due diligence purposes, including major wet and dry commodity traders, trade finance banks, ship owners/operators and bunker suppliers/traders.