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IBIA: The Future is Ours

Henrik Zederkof, Chairman of IBIA, has published a report on the organisation’s activities to date; sharing positive developments for the bunkering sector.
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The Chairman of the International Bunker Industry Association on Tuesday (16 June) published a report on the organisation’s activities to date; the report has been shared with Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

Dear IBIA members,

The future of our industry complex and the uncertainty can sometimes be overwhelming as the path forward seems blurry and confusing with the many roads towards a greener and more digitalized future.

However, this complexity will be the accelerator of our industry for transforming it to the next level beyond IMO’s 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets, toward the ultimate goal of carbon neutral transportation.

During the next decade, we will be part of a transformation that will change the bunker industry forever and bring us fast forward to the future where green solutions will be key for worldwide sea transport.

To cope with such a large transformation, we have in IBIA been preparing for some time, working on three major areas of focus:

  • IBIA ORGANISATION DEVELOPMENT
  • BUNKER LICENSING SCHEME AND MFM
  • IMO 2030 & 2050 ENGAGEMENT

I am delighted to say that all three areas have had a lift-off during the past six months, despite the Covid-19 challenges, and that IBIA is moving faster than ever before on those areas with the clear ambition of preparing IBIA as an organisation to guide, gather and influence our industry towards the future.

IBIA remains the voice of the bunker industry at IMO – the UN organ for maritime affairs – where IBIA’s director Unni Einemo has raised our concerns and points of view and made an effort to influence the future for our industry where it really matters.

The work and effort that the IBIA working groups, secretariat and a wide range of members put into the preparation and understanding of the complex, political and highly sensitive discussion at the IMO is a huge inspiration for me as IBIA chairman. I am again and again amazed by the quality of the work IBIA is capable of bringing to the table at IMO.

This unique position that we in IBIA have worked for and today fulfill on behalf of the bunker industry is something that we will continue to focus on as the decisions that IMO takes will have a large influence on all our businesses, hence the importance of continuing the dedicated work that IBIA does at IMO.

IBIA ORGANISATION DEVELOPMENT

The process of establishing IBIA regional boards organization is well underway. Presently, the global board is reviewing the proposal to establish an interim regional IBIA board for Africa and we expect to be able to launch this during July 2021.

In Asia our interim regional IBIA board has been active for more than a year with great success. The regional board has proven to us all that with the right local involvement, IBIA can bring even more value, both for the region and the overall work and influence at IBIA, as the distance from the regions to the global board has become much shorter. IBIA, as a membership-based organization, has benefitted greatly by this development.

Next in line will be the Americas where we are getting closer to taking a decision on the regional interim board.  This work is led by Adrian Tolson with strong assistance from Eugenia Benavides, Nicolas Vukelja and Steve Simms, who are all members of the IBIA global board. With these people we are confident that we have a very capable team on this task.

We trust that we will be able to share further updates about progress with the interim regional board for Americas at the IBIA Conference on 1–2 September this year.

IBIA WORKING GROUPS

The IBIA working groups have always been a fundamental part of the value that IBIA has provided its members.

Recently we have launched two new dedicated work groups, who together with our existing Legal working group all work on dedicated tasks that support IBIA’s three focus areas.

One of these is the Future Fuels working group that will support IBIA’s ambition to manage the GHG challenges for the shipping industry. The chairman of this working group is IBIA board member Constantinos Capetanakis of Star Bulk and many IBIA members have volunteered to participate in this important work.

The other is the IBIA Bunker Licensing & MFM working group, where we have been fortunate to have Alexander Prokopakis, the CEO of ProBunkers, taking the helm as chairman.

This dedicated working group directly supports IBIA’s ambition of a more transparent and aligned view on Bunker Licensing & MFM in the major bunker hubs.

Both groups are off to a roaring start and when I look at the members who have joined the working groups, I feel that we at IBIA can be very proud of both the diversity among the members and the power in these working groups. This confirms that IBIA’s influence and position in the industry is second to none.

Finally, one of the largest and more complex assignments is the transformation of IBIA to have both a global board and regional boards.  IBIA’s board members are determined to ensure that the future will be based on a fair and transparent election process for both the regional and global boards, and we have given this difficult task to the Legal working group.

Once again, I am positive when I see the list of the members who are already engaged in this. The legal capacity and geographical reach are impressive, and I am confident that our Legal working group will be able to overcome the challenging task ahead of them.

The IBIA working groups are one of many of our membership offerings where we see IBIA adding value both for those who actively participate in the working groups and for all members. When sharing conclusions and findings from our working groups with the members, or the results become part of IBIA politics and future direction; that is where we experience that we are adding value.

I want to thank all the members and chairmen of our working groups for your efforts. It is your work that forms a large and important part of the direction of IBIA and continues to make IBIA relevant and influential in the industry.

I am confident that the future will continue bringing us challenges, but with a strong platform, we can ensure that IBIA members with different views and background can meet and learn from each other and together better overcome whatever we will be faced with in the future.

 

Henrik Zederkof
IBIA Chairman

 

Photo credit: International Bunker Industry Association
Published: 17 June, 2021

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.
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July 22, 2026

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.
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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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July 21, 2026

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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