IBIA Africa Regional Board Announced
IBIA welcomes five of Africa’s influential bunkering experts as we create a platform for furthering the African chapter of IBIA.
IBIA Africa is pleased to announce the newly constituted Interim Regional Board for Africa. The purpose of the Regional Board is to facilitate and ensure that the interests of the Africa bunkering industry are truly represented regionally and globally, feeding into the Global Board for IBIA. Paul Maclons, CEO of African Marine Solutions Group (AMSOL) will chair the Regional Board and join the Global Board as a Director to represent Africa on the Global Board.
It is our greatest pleasure to introduce Africa’s first Regional Board:
Paul Maclons
CEO, African Marine Solutions Group (AMSOL)
IBIA Africa Chairman
Paul has over 21 years’ management experience, of which 16 are in the marine industry and is an accomplished marine executive having served as Managing Director of leading South African specialist marine solutions provider SMIT Amandla Marine since 2005. Paul is a shareholder and Chief Executive Officer of African Marine Solutions Group (AMSOL), which acquired the business of SMIT Amandla Marine in December 2016.
Paul has several years’ experience as a former board member of the South African Oil & Gas Alliance, SA/Netherlands Chamber of Business and currently serving as Director on the various AMSOL Group Companies, the South African Maritime Training Academy and a member of the Institute of Directors Having attained degrees in Physics and Chemistry as well as Engineering Management, Paul worked for several State owned South African entities in various managerial roles before becoming a consultant. He later moved into private industry and was appointed in the role of Managing Director of regional specialist marine solutions provider SMIT Amandla Marine, overseeing the transformation of the organisation and implementing a growth strategy to expand into new markets. He led the management buy-out of the company, which was concluded in 2016.
Grant Bairstow
Head Aviation and Marine Technical, Vivo Energy
Grant holds a Master of Commerce Degree (Maritime Studies), National Higher Diploma (Maritime Studies- Cum Laude) and National Diploma (Explosive technology –Cum Laude) whilst also being a Master Mariner, Lead Auditor (ISO 9001), SIRE Inspector and accredited to the Professional Examinations Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
Grant has 32 years’ experience within the marine industry and has amassed a wealth of experience including salvage, marine construction, submarine rescue, bunkering, marine and operations management, and has served as Master on a wide range of vessels. Grant currently leads HSSEQ as well as Aviation and Marine Technical functions through 26 countries, he is a ESG Committee member and sits on the Vivo Energy Overseas Holdings Board.
Siyamthanda Maya
Managing Director; South African Marine Fuels (SAMF)
Siya is a Managing Director and a cofounder of South African Marine fuels, a licensed bunkering operator at anchorage in Algoa Bay. In this role, Siya leads a team providing bunkering operations and services in Port Elizabeth.
Siya has more than 18 years of experience in the energy industry during six of which she specialised in oil and gas trading and bunker operations. She is a big believer in human advancement through credible skills transfer and development, with specific focus on women skills development and enablement.
Siya is an active member of WISTA South Africa chapter, holds a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering as well as an MBA from the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
John B. Tagoe
Head of Technical & Special Products, GOIL Company Limited (GOIL)
John joined Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), a public listed company, as a Sales Engineer in the year 2000 having previously worked with Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) for nine years.
John has gone through the ranks of the company and is now the Head of Technical & Special Products Department which deals with Bunkering, Aviation, Lubricants, LPG, Bitumen and Diesel for the Mining Industry.
John is a Mechanical Engineer and a Marine Technologist. He has had several on the job training programs including IBIA bunkering Courses.
John Hughes
Managing Director, SABT
John has worked in the bunker industry since 2006, all the while focusing on the African bunker market. He has spent many days in barely road-worthy taxis, rushing around traffic-congested African cities, striving tirelessly to mine through hundreds of opportunists with a laptop and cell phone that claim to be bunker suppliers. All in search for that rare precious gem; an African supplier that can get the job done on time and within spec.
He has been held up at gunpoint in Nigeria, almost quarantined for Ebola in Sierra Leone and been close to drowning but still maintains that he has the best job in the world. Every day is different with fresh challenges and opportunities. The quest to provide long term value for a vision to uplift African ports to meet world standards is something of a personal passion which continues to sustain him today.
Our goals and aims for the Africa Regional Board will be to increase and broaden our reach through encouraging new members, online member meetings, engaging with legislative bodies and ensuring dissemination of vital IMO information to our membership.
Should any of our members wish to engage further regarding the above, you are encouraged to contact me directly.
We would like to take this moment to welcome onboard our new Board members and look forward to your support and continued dialogue.
If you would like to engage with the IBIA Africa team, or become a member of IBIA, explore opportunities to be a speaker, sponsor or find out more about our local activities, engagements and events, please contact me.
Tahra Sergeant
Regional Manager: Africa
SA Mobile +27 (0)79 990 7544
E tahra.sergeant@ibia.net
S sergeant.tahra W ibia.net