Welcome to the April newsletter

This has been quite a month for IBIA, and as I pause to look back it gives me a real sense of achievement. We have launched several new initiatives, primarily in the field of education, and our engagement with industry partners and events has kept us all very busy.

It gives me particular pleasure to report that IBIA is making some serious progress in the area of education and the professionalisation of our industry, one of the key points to come out of our membership survey last year. Our Asia branch is trialling a new grade of membership that includes tailored training for the employees of a new member company, while in the UK, IBIA has joined with South Shields Marine School at South Tyneside College, to develop a course unit on bunkering essentials for merchant navy cadets and engineering officers. We really hope these, and other training initiatives, will help ensure that new entrants to the industry have a solid basis to build on.

I am also very exited about the positive initial feedback for IBIA’s draft standard operating procedures (SOP) for bunker surveyors to standardise practice for bunker delivery by mass flow meter to vessels, also covered in this newsletter. I see development and use of “best practice” industry guidelines as a key area for IBIA to be involved in.

This month, we are also delighted to welcome a new member of staff to the IBIA secretariat. Many of you already know Unni Einemo, who has been an IBIA board member for two years and a highly respected journalist and analyst with almost 20 years experience in our industry.

Over three quarters of our membership survey respondents said that they wanted to get involved with a working group, which is great as we think our remembers have so much to contribute. As part of her role, Unni will be taking this forward, working to coordinate our efforts to deliver real industry leadership with important input from our members.

We also say goodbye and thank you to one of our longest serving employees, Chanette Roughton. Chanette has played a very significant role in the office, helping to manage our biggest events, the Annual Dinner and the IBIA Convention for more than seven years. We thank her for her hard work and wish her all the best for the future.

These are just some of our activities this month, you will find much more as you read the newsletter. I look forward to updating you with further news of our achievements as the year moves on.

Peter Hall
Chief Executive, International Bunker Industry Association
Peter.Hall@ibia.net

PS This is our fourth newsletter or the year – please do let us know what you think, just email IBIA@ibia.net with your comments, thank you.

IBIA makes new appointment to support growing activities

IBIA in Asia launches membership with training

IBIA in Africa celebrates 137% increase in membership

IBIA develops bunker course with South Shields Marine school

IBIA develops standard operating procedures for surveyors

Maritime and Port Authority, Singapore speaks at IBIA in Asia Gala Dinner

IMO hoping to decide global cap timing in October this year

New twists in IMO fuel quality debate opens door to industry input?

Thank you and goodbye … from Chanette Roughton

IBIA appoints Flagship Management as trusted partner