Executive Director’s report
Positioning Bunkers Where They Belong: At the Heart of Shipping’s Future
As our Chair says in his message to you, IBIA continues to grow in substance, reach, and impact. We are not just present – we are relevant. And, more importantly, we are recognised as a rightful part of the wider maritime ecosystem.
This edition of World Bunkering – distributed to members ahead of our Annual Convention – is the very one that will be in your hands in Hong Kong this November. It’s a milestone. For the first time, the IBIA Annual Convention is part of a major shipping event: Hong Kong Maritime Week. This is not a coincidence. It reflects a simple truth: bunkers are more relevant to shipping than ever before.
By the time of publication, I will have marked two years in the role of Executive Director. I remain grateful to the Executive Committee for selecting me, and to the IBIA Board for their continued trust and support. It has been a demanding yet rewarding period – one where we worked hard to honour the responsibility of helping our industry navigate through complex waters: decarbonisation, geopolitical uncertainty, rapid technological developments, and the often unclear, but essential, regulatory pathway.
After more than two decades as a member of this Association, it is with pride to now lead its day-to-day operations.
I am proud to say that today, IBIA is in a solid financial position. This comes primarily from consistent membership growth, enabling us to reinvest in people, platforms, and strategy.
In the past year alone, we have strengthened our Secretariat team, to serve our members better and begun laying the foundation for our future. We have implemented a CRM system to align with the industry’s digital transformation.
Soon, we will launch the MyIBIA app, designed to improve networking, access to information, and member engagement.
Behind the scenes, we’ve also worked hard on a full rebrand. Following a perception audit of our stakeholders – thank you to all who participated – we committed to updating our image to reflect what we truly are: an association at the intersection of shipping and energy. The new logo and visual identity you are starting to see is just the beginning. We’re also working on a new website and digital ecosystem that includes the app and a modern networking platform, all aimed at improving your membership experience with us.
But we are not stopping there.
In close collaboration with our Board and external advisors, we are also preparing a new governance and membership structure. This will allow IBIA to grow responsibly, provide greater value, and enhance transparency, inclusivity, and engagement.
Stay tuned – there’s much more to come.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about our Annual Convention in Hong Kong. It promises to be a high-calibre gathering of global stakeholders, and I hope many of you will join us to help make it the most successful IBIA Annual Convention ever, until the next one.
As always, I welcome your thoughts.
Tell us how we are doing, what more you would like to see from IBIA, and how we can support your business and your people. As our Chair rightfully says:
“We are here – to listen, to act, and to make a difference.”
Sincerely
Alexander Prokopakis
IBIA Executive Director
alexander.prokopakis@ibia.net