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IBIA announces new board of directors

IBIA announced the appointment of Constantinos Capetanakis as Chairman, Adrian Tolson as Vice Chairman and Nigel Draffin as Honorary Treasurer.

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IBIA announces new board of directors

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Wednesday (3 April) announced the newly elected leadership team to drive the Association’s strategic initiatives and represent the interests of its members globally.

Effective 1 April, the following individuals will serve as members of the IBIA Board of Directors.

“Please join IBIA in welcoming Constantinos Capetanakis, Adrian Tolson and Nigel Draffin to their officers’ roles,” IBIA said in a statement. 

Chair: Constantinos Capetanakis, Star Bulk

In 2014 Constantinos joined Star Bulk, serving as General Manager of a number of private vessels and subsequently as Executive Vice President – Control Director of the group’s procurement arm, Ship Procurement Services SA. Since 2019 Constantinos is serving as Star Bulk’s Bunker Director, responsible for bunkering procurement / strategy and Star Bulk’s cooperation with bunker industry stakeholders.

Vice Chair: Adrian Tolson, 2050 Marine Energy LLC

Adrian Tolson is the owner of 2050 Marine Energy and is widely recognised as one of the shipping industry’s leading marine energy experts. With more than 35 years of experience, he has both detailed knowledge and unique insight into the bunker supply chain and its many related infrastructure developments.

Hon Treasurer: Nigel Draffin, Consultant

Nigel Draffin, with a career starting at sea as an engineer for Shell in 1966 and transitioning ashore in 1979, has contributed extensively to the maritime and bunker industry. He’s a technical consultant with over 25 years of experience, a founder and former chairman (2012) and Treasurer (2022) of IBIA and was re-elected to the Board in 2023. Draffin has authored 13 books on Bunkering and Shipping and is an esteemed speaker at industry conferences.

Newly elected Board Members:

  • Ufuk Erinc, CEO, Unerco Petrol Urunleri Denizcilik ve Ticaret A.S
  • Deanna MacDonald, CEO, BunkerTrace Ltd (UK)
  • Maria Skipper Schwenn, Director of Regulatory and Public Affairs, Bunker Holding Group

Continuing Board Members:

  • Eugenia Benavides Buitrago, Marine Fuels Director, Terpel S.A.
  • Claudia Beumer, Owner, C4 fuel BV
  • Rahul Choudhuri, President of Strategic Partnerships, Veritas Petroleum Services (Asia) Pte Ltd
  • Timothy Cosulich, CEO, Fratelli Cosulich
  • Jeroen de Vos, Head of Quality, Peninsula
  • Colin Holloway, Global Head Technical, Cockett Marine Oil
  • Paul Maclons, Chair, AMSOL Board of Directors, African Marine Solutions Group (Pty) Ltd
  • Valeria Sessa, CEO, ReSeaWorld s.r.l
  • Anna Stefanou, Finance and Credit Manager, PMG Holding

Constantinos Capetanakis, said: “I am greatly honoured to be IBIA’s Chair and excited for the times ahead, being determined to lead the Association to further global growth and visibility throughout the entire shipping community”.

“This group of individuals bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and dedication to their roles, and IBIA is confident that under their leadership, the Association will continue to flourish and advance the interests of the bunker industry worldwide,” the association added. 

Capetanakis recently updated Manifold Times in an exclusive interview on the changes he will be implementing for IBIA during his tenure as its new Chairman including IBIA’s plans to intensify cooperation with all partners in Singapore, China, Europe, the United States, Middle East, and more.

Related: Interview: IBIA to intensify all marine energy related stakeholder activities, says new Chairman

 

Photo credit: International Bunker Industry Association
Published: 4 April 2024

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Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.

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RESIZED singapore high court

An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

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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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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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