IBIA Maps Meeting Agenda

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has set out its agenda for the coming years at its annual conference, held this year from 5-8 June in Athens in conjunction with the marine credit analysis specialist, Infospectrum. In his keynote speech, IBIA chairman Chris Leigh-Jones emphasized the need for the association to build on its size, stability and standing, and engage with authorities at the highest levels on behalf of its members and the marine fuels industry as a whole. "Bunkering has many issues to address, and IBIA must be the forum in which they are addressed," he told delegates. According to Leigh-Jones, there are a number of issues in particular that the association is focusing on. "Many of you know that the European Commission has been messing about with emissions control legislation, but how many of you know exactly what the state of play is and what rules will come in and when? IBIA needs to be able to tell people about these issues, and raise support for sensible policies from within and without our industry," he told the conference. Leigh-Jones also highlighted IBIA's discussions with Intertanko regarding practical bunkering advice for tanker owners, and the work it is doing with the government in Fujairah to help draw up a local code of bunker practice. The IBIA/Infospectrum conference in Greece was attended by over 250 delegates, including bunker executives from as far afield as Australia and Argentina. "Greece is a key shipping and bunker market. This is reflected in the high turnout," said Panos Panousis, managing director of Infospectrum. "Delegates also expressed their appreciation of a conference program that incorporated plenty of networking and social opportunities in addition to the working sessions, which included presentations by leading shipping executives."