IBIA ASIA IN ACTION
Siti Noraini Zaini, IBIA’s Regional Manager, Asia, reports on recent developments
While Q2 has been comparatively quiet in terms of public-facing events, IBIA Asia has been actively laying critical groundwork behind the scenes to support Asia’s evolving marine fuels sector. We’re strategically positioned for greater engagement in response to key regional developments.
Supporting the Next Generation:
IBIA–SMF MaritimeONE Scholarship
In June 2025, IBIA formalised its landmark partnership with the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) under the prestigious MaritimeONE Scholarship programme. As part of this three-year commitment, IBIA will sponsor one scholarship annually from 2025 to 2027, offering financial assistance to deserving tertiary students pursuing maritime-related studies.
Beyond monetary support, this initiative is designed to provide structured mentorship, industry exposure, and professional development opportunities. Where possible, scholars will also be matched with experienced industry mentors from IBIA’s diverse member network, giving them direct insights into the evolving landscape of marine energy, bunkering operations, and decarbonisation efforts.
By aligning with SMF, a key platform driving maritime talent development in Singapore, IBIA aims to invest in the next generation of professionals who will shape the future of marine fuels. This partnership underscores IBIA’s broader commitment to long-term industry resilience, diversity, and capacity-building, and reflects our belief that empowering young talent is essential for driving sustainable innovation across the bunkering and maritime sectors.
Equipping the Industry Through Capacity Building
In line with MPA’s mandate, IBIA concluded the SS 648:2024 refresher training in April 2025, having successfully trained over 490 personnel across the bunkering sector. This includes a significant number of licensed bunker surveyors. The positive response reflects the industry’s continued efforts to stay aligned with evolving regulatory requirements and strengthen competencies in bunker measurement, mass flow metering, and operational compliance.
The strong turnout also highlights the value placed on upskilling and standardisation, as IBIA continues to support the effective implementation of SS 648:2024 in collaboration with industry partners.
Building on this momentum, IBIA is actively exploring the development of additional training programmes to support the industry’s evolving operational and regulatory landscape. This includes efforts to address knowledge gaps related to the safe handling of alternative fuels, digitalisation of bunkering processes, and technical competencies required for accurate fuel measurement and compliance.
These training initiatives are intended to ensure that industry personnel remain well-equipped to manage both current requirements and future challenges. By working closely with experienced professionals, regulatory bodies, and technical experts, IBIA aims to offer practical, forward-looking training solutions that enhance operational safety, uphold standards, and strengthen industry preparedness across the marine fuels value chain.
Momentum into the Second Half
As part of our efforts to enhance regional operations, we’re pleased to welcome Maya Alexandria to the IBIA Asia team in the role of Administrator Support Assistant. Based in Singapore, Maya plays an active role in supporting training coordination, event logistics, and day-to-day member engagement across the region. Those who have recently registered for IBIA training sessions may have already interacted with her.
Maya joins Noraini Salim in supporting the delivery of IBIA’s Asia-based activities, strengthening our capacity to provide timely, responsive support to members. We’re confident that her addition will further enhance our ability to grow our training footprint and regional outreach in the months ahead.
As we move into the second half of the year, we remain focused on strengthening our partnerships across Asia and expanding IBIA-led training initiatives to prepare the industry for future challenges.
On behalf of the IBIA Asia team, thank you for your continued support. Together, we will continue building a vibrant and forward-looking bunkering community. We are proud to serve as a supporting organisation for the upcoming Marine Fuels 360 Conference, to participate in APPEC 2025, and to prepare for the IBIA Hong Kong Convention 2025 — three key platforms where we will continue to advocate, engage, and shape the futureof marine fuels.
Preparations for the IBIA Hong Kong Convention 2025 are already underway, with the Steering Committee actively shaping the programme, identifying strategic partners, and curating thought leadership sessions around alternative fuels, digitalisation, and regulatory developments. With a strong training component and regional industry engagement at its core, the convention promises to be a dynamic platform for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and actionable dialogue to support the industry transition toward a more sustainable bunkering future.
Siti Noraini Zaini
Regional Manager, IBIA Asia
siti.zaini@ibia.net
www.ibia.net