IBIA’s chairman, Robin Meech, spoke at the association’s annual dinner on February 20 about the Association’s activities and achievements over the past year, outlined priorities for the year ahead, thanked outgoing board members and welcomed the new.
Chairman Robin Meech opened his speech by saying that IBIA is in a new era, with growing membership, a new strategy and new management.
He highlighted that IBIA now encompasses a broader membership demographic; having recently welcomed the Institute of Bunker Buyers & Consumers into the fold, and also through IBIA’s several associate members that are active in shipping, and alternative fuels such as LNG and methanol.
“This augments IBIA’s status in the international communities, providing a balanced view tempered by listening to all elements of our industry,” said Meech.
Mr. Meech spoke about IBIA’s stronger presence at the International Maritime Organization, where the Association has been increasingly active, making contributions to the debate about implementing the 0.50% sulphur limit in 2020. IBIA will continue these efforts, in collaboration with other industry association and inviting input from its members via IBIA’s working groups.
Looking ahead, Mr. Meech said a key activity this year will be the drafting of a guide to good practice for bunker suppliers, a task that the IMO has called on industry to take a lead on. Meech noted that this is also a cornerstone of IBIA’s Port Charter, an initiative bringing together key ports, including Singapore, Rotterdam and Gibraltar, taking a lead in promoting best practices for bunkering.
He further emphasized the importance of training and the use of modern technology like mass flow metering systems to increase professionalisms and raise standards in the industry.
On behalf of IBIA, Mr. Meech thanked two outgoing board members, John Stirling of World Fuel Services, and Steve Simms of Simms Showers LLP for their services to the Association, and welcomed the newly elected board members.
Lim Teck Cheng of Hong Lam Marine has been re-elected for his second term, while two new board members will begin their 3-year term on April 1, 2017. They are Martin Laue Brodersen from the Danish shipping company Torm, and Dilip Mody of India-based bunkering firm Global Fuels & Lubricants, who returns to the board after a one-year break.
At the end of his speech, he presented Captain Peter Hall with a gift from the Association in recognition for all the splendid work he has undertaken for IBIA over the past four years. Hall announced in November last year that he would retire from the role as IBIA’s chief executive.
IBIA’s new Chief Executive, Justin Murphy, told the guests he was “extremely proud” to take up the role and that all those present should be proud because the bunker industry drives global trade and plays a significant role in bringing prosperity to communities all around the world.
Source: IBIA
