Business

IBIA Annual Convention 2019 on IMO 2020 concludes at Istanbul

Event held at Ciragan Palace Kempinski brought together over 260 stakeholders from across the world.

Published

7 years ago

November 8, 2019

Admin

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Friday (8 November) issued a press release summing up the outcome of its Annual Convention, this time held at Istanbul:

With the global 0.50% sulphur cap just weeks away, the IBIA Annual Convention 2019 took place at the historical Ciragan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul. We gathered in this unique and historically significant city that straddles two continents across an important waterway at a time when our industry is undergoing significant historical changes for the benefit of human health and the environment. The transition to the global low-sulphur regime is underway and we gathered to examine how to bridge the gap to IMO 2020.

The IBIA Annual Convention 2019 brought together over 260 stakeholders from across the world. Delegates from 25 countries, including bunker buyers/consumers, bunker providers (oil majors, independent suppliers, traders), regulators, various service providers and consultants came to forge connections, exchange views, educate and prepare for the changes ahead.

So what did we learn?

The IMO has put in place a truly comprehensive set of 2020-related guidelines for all stakeholders, helping ships to prepare and ensuring that control mechanisms are in place to deter non-compliance. Industry has also been working hard to provide guidance on the practical aspects of dealing with new fuel blends. These aspects were covered during the opening session of our Convention which heard from Edmund Hughes, Head, Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency at the IMO’s Marine Environment Division and from IBIA Board Member Patrick Holloway, a partner in the law firm Webber Wentzel. Also speaking in this session, IBIA’s Director, Unni Einemo stressed that while enforcement is up to Annex VI signatory states, compliance is up to the industry, adding that industry must not be discouraged from complying even if enforcement may be weak in some parts of the world. She also stressed the need for stakeholders to support each other in seeking compliance through communication, a pragmatic approach and a cooperative spirit.

IBIA’s Annual Convention also examined the technical, commercial and legal consequences of IMO 2020 with input from a range of leading industry experts, and about general industry preparedness from a stellar line-up of industry leaders from the supply and shipping side. There were also several presenters focusing on how we can tackle the increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which will require even bigger changes than the 0.50% sulphur limit.

Is the industry ready for 2020? Judging from the messages coming from most industry stakeholders at our Convention, preparations have been made and many are just waiting for the final push during November and December.

Our sincere thanks go to everyone who contributed to making this IBIA Annual Convention a success, in particular our host the Turkish Chamber of Shipping, our sponsors, (ISTANBULBUNKER2020, Peninsula, BMS United, Asmira, Terpel, Med Petroleum, Cockett Group, Zeos Shipping, Argus, Turkuaz) our media partners (World Bunkering, Ship & Bunker) and Media sponsors (Allaboutshipping, Argus, Petrospot, Manifold Times, Deniz Ticareti, Virahaber).

The IBIA Annual Convention 2019 was the most successful IBIA Convention yet with record attendance and a high calibre of speakers. Apart from knowledge and networking opportunities, the IBIA Annual Convention offered its 260 delegates the unique opportunity to explore Istanbul with a private boat trip on the Bosphorus and a private guided tour of the iconic Hagia Sophia.

IBIA aspires to represent all stakeholders in the global bunker industry from well to wake and to be a voice of reason for the sector at the IMO and elsewhere. One of our aims is to bring various stakeholders together to learn from each other and increase mutual understanding and cooperation. We all need to pull in the same direction to succeed in the transition to the global low-sulphur regime, and work together to shape our future and bring about positive change.

Photo credit: International Bunker Industry Association
Published: 8 November, 2019

Bunker Fuel

Huanghua Port expands bunkering capabilities with dedicated fuel oil terminal

Previously, bunkering vessels serving Huanghua Port were required to replenish marine fuel oil at other ports, including Tianjin, before returning to carry out bunkering operations, often resulting in delays.

Published

10 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Admin

Huanghua Port has strengthened its marine fuel supply infrastructure with the commissioning of its first dedicated, all-weather bunker terminal, a move aimed at improving vessel turnaround times and supporting growing shipping activity at the port, according to China-based news outlets on Thursday (11 June).

On 9 June, bunker tanker Heng Feng You 165 completed fuel loading operations at the terminal in the Huanghua Port Comprehensive Port Area before proceeding to an anchorage to provide bunkering services to waiting cargo vessels.

According to local authorities, the new facility addresses a longstanding bottleneck in the port’s marine fuel supply chain.

Yao Meichen, Deputy Director of the Cangzhou Municipal Ocean and Port Administration Bureau said bunkering vessels serving Huanghua Port were required to replenish marine fuel oil at other ports previously, including Tianjin, before returning to carry out bunkering operations, often resulting in delays for vessels awaiting bunkers.

As cargo throughput and vessel traffic have increased in recent years, the absence of a specialised bunker terminal became a constraint on port efficiency. To address the issue, local authorities invested RMB 266 million (USD 39 million) to develop Huanghua Port’s first dedicated marine fuel oil terminal and actively pursued regulatory approvals for both a domestic transfer export bonded warehouse and a liquid bonded storage facility.

The terminal, which entered service at the end of last year, features a dedicated 5,000-dwt berth and storage tanks with a combined capacity of 66,000 cubic metres. It has a designed annual throughput capacity of 820,000 tonnes and primarily handles marine gasoil as well as 120 CST and 180 CST fuel oils.

Authorities said the facility has been operating smoothly since its launch and is capable of ensuring a stable supply of bunker fuel for vessels calling at the port.

The bunkering infrastructure will be further enhanced following approval from Shijiazhuang Customs for the establishment of both the domestic transfer export bonded warehouse and liquid bonded storage facilities. The additions are expected to strengthen Huanghua Port’s ability to provide bunkering services to international-going vessels.

“The commissioning of the marine fuel oil terminal has completely changed the previous situation of off-site fuel supply and ships queuing for fuel, achieving benefits for both bunkering vessels and cargo ships,” said Dong Xianke, General Manager of Cangzhou Bohai New Area Gangkun Marine Fuel Co., Ltd., the terminal’s operator.

Photo credit: David Yu from Pixabay
Published: 16 June, 2026

Methanol

China: Chimbusco takes delivery of new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhoushan

Company says commissioning of “Zhong Ran LV Neng 85” will further enhance its service capabilities in green methanol bunkering in major domestic ports.

Published

10 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Admin

Chimbusco takes delivery of new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhoushan

China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco) recently took delivery of its first bunkering vessel in China to deliver methanol to dual-fuel ships.

The 8,500-dwt duplex stainless steel chemical tanker Zhong Ran LV Neng 85 was successfully delivered in Zhoushan.

The company said the commissioning of this new ship will further enhance Chimbusco’s service capabilities in green methanol bunkering in major domestic ports and expand its national marine new energy service and support network

During the delivery period, Chimbusco said it focused on safe operations and conducted special training for all crew members of the vessel.

The training covered methanol bunkering operation specifications, prevention of collisions between commercial and fishing vessels, daily vessel reporting, and voyage report filling standards.

Manifold Times previously reported the launching of the bunkering vessel at Taizhou Fangzhen Shipbuilding Wharf in Zhejiang.

The floating out of the ship comes after Chimbusco has obtained methanol bunkering licences for Shanghai Port and Ningbo Port.

Photo credit: China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco)
Published: 16 June, 2026

LNG Bunkering

CCEC and CMA CGM form joint venture to build and operate LNG bunkering vessel

Each party will hold a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture, which has been established for the purpose of constructing, chartering, and operating one 20,000 cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel.

Published

10 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Admin

Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. (CCEC), an international owner of ocean-going gas vessels, on Friday (12 June) announced the formation of a joint venture company with CMA CGM.

Each party will hold a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture, which has been established for the purpose of constructing, chartering, and operating one 20,000 cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel.

The joint venture marks CCEC’s entry into the LNG bunkering segment, the company’s first vessel dedicated to marine fuel supply.

In connection with this transaction, the joint venture has entered into a shipbuilding contract with Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) for the construction of the vessel at a contract price of USD 82.8 million, with delivery expected in the third quarter of 2028.

Incorporating the latest technologies, the vessel is designed to enable safe and reliable LNG transfers across a wide range of operating conditions. Advanced emissions reduction systems, combined with highly efficient dual-fuel power generation, are designed to help the vessel meet applicable environmental standards of the global shipping industry.

In addition, the joint venture is expected to enter into a 12-year time charter with a joint venture company formed between CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, commencing upon delivery of the vessel from the shipyard.

Jerry Kalogiratos, CEO of Capital Clean Energy Carriers, commented: “This joint venture marks CCEC’s entry into LNG bunkering — a natural extension of our gas platform from carriage into marine fuel supply.

“Working alongside counterparties of the calibre of CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, we can help build the infrastructure that allows LNG to deliver a cleaner emissions profile, alongside security and diversity of supply, while opening a new, long-term contracted revenue stream for the Company through the Joint Venture.”

Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President Operations and Assets of CMA CGM, said: “Together with Capital Clean Energy Carriers and TotalEnergies, we are committed to building a reliable and high-performance LNG bunkering supply chain, which is essential to ensuring the availability and reliability of fuels such as LNG that represent the first step in the decarbonization of our industry.”

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 16 June, 2026