Industry leaders to gather in Hong Kong for IBIA Annual Convention 2025

The International Bunker Industry Association will host its flagship Annual Convention in Hong Kong between 18 to 20 November, a headline event of Hong Kong Maritime Week that will unite senior stakeholders from across the global marine fuels industry.

The Convention, which will be held at Hong Kong Convention Exhibition & Convention Centre, will open with welcome addresses from Constantinos Capetanakis, Chair of IBIA and Bunker Director at Star Bulk and Alexander Prokopakis, Executive Director of IBIA. Delegates will also hear keynote speeches from Mable Chan, JP, Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Hong Kong, and Angad Banga, Chair of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and CEO of The Caravel Group Limited.

A message from Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, will also be delivered.

Constantinos Capetanakis, said: “The IBIA Annual Convention has become the defining forum for our industry, bringing together stakeholders from every part of the value chain. This year’s discussions will not only highlight the challenges ahead but also showcase the innovation and collaboration that will drive the next chapter of marine energy. And this next chapter is likely to be like no other, highlighting that IBIA will be more impactful than it has ever been.”

Alexander Prokopakis, said: “With shipping’s decarbonisation agenda accelerating, this year’s Convention will provide a unique platform to shape the future of bunkering/marine energy. Hong Kong offers the ideal backdrop for global leaders to come together and debate how our industry can successfully navigate this transition.”

Pre-Convention Training Workshops – 18 November

In addition to the main conference, IBIA will host two specialised training workshops on 18 November, providing practical knowledge and skills as part of Hong Kong Maritime Week.

• Alternative Fuels Training

Following the success of IBIA’s Alternative Fuels Training courses, this one-day session will be delivered by Nigel Draffin alongside expert speakers. The programme will cover biofuels, LNG, and methanol, offering participants practical insights into new fuel pathways and preparing them to navigate the rapidly evolving alternative fuels landscape.

• Mass Flow Meter (MFM) Workshop

In collaboration with Metcore International, IBIA will present a focused half-day workshop on The Role of Mass Flow Meter Systems – Building Trust and Transparency in the Future of Bunkering. This session will explore system integrity, calibration standards, and operational best practices.

Strategic Debates and Market Insights

Over three days, panels and sessions will tackle the most pressing issues shaping the bunker and shipping industries, including alternative fuels, decarbonisation, regulatory frameworks, and the impact of digitalisation and AI.

Highlights include:

• Leadership & Associations: Insights from Hing Chao (Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping), Bud Darr (CLIA) and Caroline Yang (Hong Lam Marine).
• Bunker Sellers Panel: Guido Cardullo (Fratelli Cosulich), Calvin Chung (Chimbusco Pan Nation) and Sheen Mao Choong (Equatorial Marine Fuel).
• Bunker Buyers Panel: Richard Ho (ONE) and Kasper Sorensen (Seascale Energy).
• Regulatory & Policy: Moderated by Dr. Edmund Hughes (IBIA), with speakers from ICS, BIMCO and Bunker Holding.
• Asia Focus: Perspectives from Robert Hong (Hyundai Fuels) and Kiichiro Muto (Mitsui & Co).
• Future Fuels & Skills: Featuring Capt. Rahul Choudhuri (VPS), Chris Chatterton (Green Marine), Akanksha Batura Pai (Sinoda Shipping) and Saunak Rai (FUELNG).
• Digitalisation & AI: Moderated by Kenneth Juhls (AuctionConnect), joined by Nicolai Bendixen (ZeroNorth), Kenneth Dam (TFG Marine), Deanna MacDonald (Aveera Energy) and Haitham Al Tamimi (SOHAR Port & Freezone).

Join the Conversation

With over 300 delegates expected, the IBIA Annual Convention 2025 is set to be a defining moment for the marine fuels industry. Registration is now open via the IBIA Annual Convention website.

• Convention Overview & registration

Photo credit: International Bunkering Industry Association
Published: 15 September 2025