Connect with us

Business

IBIA: IMO approves indicative example of bunker supply licence

An indicative example of a licence for bunker fuel oil supply has been approved by the 76th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee.

Admin

Published

on

IBIA

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Friday (18 June) published an update regarding outcomes of MEPC 76:

An indicative example of a licence for fuel oil supply has been approved by the 76th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 76), and added as annex to the Guidance for best practice for Member State/coastal State (MEPC.1/Circ.884).

It follows detailed discussions in a Correspondence Group (CG) set up after MEPC 75 in November last year. The CG was instructed to “review and amend, as appropriate, the indicative example of a licence for fuel oil supply” provided in a proposal by a group of shipping organisations in MEPC 75/5/2.

IBIA has been active in the CG to help make the indicative example as relevant as possible. Many of our proposed improvements were taken onboard and are reflected in the final version that was approved at MEPC 76.

In addition to the indicative example that was developed in the CG and approved at MEPC 76, an alternative text was also briefly considered. It differed significantly by describing the elements that should be considered in a licensing scheme, as opposed to detailing specifics.

“We see merit in both,” IBIA told MEPC 76, noting that while the indicative example provides a possible framework, it is very prescriptive in nature and therefore may not be fit for purpose in all Member States.

Throughout the discussion in the CG, IBIA has been stressing that it is important to note that the administration of bunker licensing schemes can vary significantly between ports and countries, as they have different resources and legal structures to implement and monitor adherence to the licences.

The indicative example is intended as a base document which IMO Member States might adopt voluntarily. It was made clear during MECC 76 that it is a non-mandatory guidance document.

Meanwhile, IBIA has recently launched the IBIA Bunker Licensing & MFM working group, chaired with great skill by Alexander Prokopakis, the CEO of ProBunkers. This working group is supporting IBIA’s ambition to see effective and transparent bunker licensing schemes, preferably incorporating massflow meter (MFM) technology, in the world’s major bunker hubs.

Note: Manifold Times’s coverage of MEPC 76 with timeframe ranging from the start of the meeting to the current date of publication can be found below:

Related: IBIA: IMO approves indicative example of bunker supply licence
Related: IMO: Meeting summary of Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 76)
Related: EDF: IMO MEPC 76 concludes ‘with much to look forward to in the months to come’
Related: IBIA: Inconclusive talks on bunker fuel carbon tax, R&D levy proposals at MEPC 76
Related: Shipping industry urges governments to act on USD 5 billion decarbonisation fund
Related: T&E: UN greenwashes shipping with hopelessly weak carbon efficiency target
Related: Clean Arctic Alliance: International shipping body drops the ball on Arctic climate crisis
Related: IMO adopts key measures to reduce ships’ carbon intensity; establishes ship rating system
Related: MEPC 76: IMO environment meeting begins; set to adopt GHG cutting measures

 

Photo credit and source: International Bunker Industry Association
Published: 22 June, 2021

Continue Reading

Milestone

China: Yangpu records 27% on year increase in bunkering volumes from Jan to May

Latest bunker supplier at Yangpu port is Hainan Luhai Energy which received a license from the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government in April 2025.

Admin

Published

on

By

Yangpu port

The Port of Yangpu located in Hainan Island recorded a 27% on year increase in bonded bunkering volume for the period between January to May 2025 due to local government initiatives, according to Danzhou Municipal People’s Government on 5 July.

During the five-month period, the port supplied 149,400 metric tonnes (mt) of bunker fuel to 288 international vessels, compared to 117,400 mt of marine fuel to 278 ships in the year before.

Explaining the 2025 figures, the government pointed out 145,400 mt of bonded bunker fuel to 275 vessels were delivered by bunkering firms under national licenses, while 4,000 mt of bonded marine fuel were sent by bunkering companies under Hainan licenses.

To date, there are four bunker suppliers operating at Yangpu port. The latest to join is Luhai Energy Technology Development (Hainan) Co., Ltd (陆海能源科技发展(海南)有限公司) which received a license from the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government in April 2025.

“In the future, we will continue to work hard to continuously optimise the bonded oil refuelling service system, increase policy publicity and promotion efforts, attract more bonded oil refuelling companies to settle in Yangpu, and continuously expand the scale of business, and promote the implementation of the bonded oil refuelling policy,” stated Li Leiming, a mid-level employee of the Yangpu Investment Promotion Bureau.

 

Photo credit: Chuanhaozi under Creative Commons Licences
Published: 14 July 2025

Continue Reading

Milestone

Singapore retains ranking as world’s top maritime centre for 12th consecutive year

Finds report jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency.

Admin

Published

on

By

Singapore bunker tankers and sky

Singapore on Friday (11 July) said it has retained its ranking as the world’s top maritime centre, marking the 12th consecutive year it has led the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index.

Jointly published by the Baltic Exchange and China’s Xinhua News Agency, the Xinhua-Baltic ISCD Index provides an independent benchmarking of the world’s leading maritime hubs.

It evaluates factors such as cargo throughput, port infrastructure, maritime services (including finance, law and shipbroking), and the overall business environment.

The index is closely monitored by shipping lines, port investors, and maritime service providers to track market competitiveness, and inform investment location and service development decisions.

Singapore retained its top position among 43 maritime cities and regions, underpinned by its consistent performance as one of the world’s busiest transhipment and bunkering hubs, and a well-established ecosystem of professional maritime services and expertise.

In 2024, Singapore handled 41.12 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in container throughput – a record high – and saw total vessel arrival tonnage exceed 3 billion gross tons. The Port of Singapore also remains the world’s largest bunkering port, having supplied 54.92 million tonnes of marine fuel in 2024.

Home to more than 200 international shipping groups and a growing number of maritime technology start-ups, Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a global node for maritime innovation and enterprise.

This growing industry base is also creating new career pathways in areas such as port operations, digital systems management, automation, maritime law, and sustainability – as the sector transforms to meet the needs of a more digital and decarbonised future.

“We thank our industry partners, the research and enterprise community, and our unions who have been instrumental in Singapore’s journey to become a leading international maritime centre and global hub port,” said Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

“We will continue to build on this momentum by innovating and investing in digitalisation, green technologies, and workforce development to strengthen Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready international maritime centre.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 14 July 2025

Continue Reading

Milestone

“LNG London” marks 1,000 safe LNG bunkering ops in Rotterdam and Antwerp

Milestone is a tribute to the technical expertise and steadfast dedication of LNG London’s team, states Victrol.

Admin

Published

on

By

LNG London MT

The LNG London, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel chartered by Shell, owned by LNG Shipping, and operated by Victrol recently completed over 1,000 safe LNG bunkering operations across the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp.

“This landmark achievement underscores LNG London’s unwavering commitment to safety, reliability, and environmental stewardship as LNG rises to prominence as a lower-emission marine fuel compared to conventional fuel oil,” stated Victrol on Friday (11 July) over a LinkedIn update.

“With this milestone, LNG London reaffirms its pioneering role in promoting sustainable, lower-emission bunkering throughout the Amsterdam–Rotterdam–Antwerp (ARA) hub.”

Launched in June 2019, LNG London has a capacity of 3,000 m³, spans 110 m in length, and navigates inland waterways with ease—facilitating efficient LNG supply to both seagoing vessels and barges offshore-energy.

Victrol as the vessel’s operator, emphasises the outstanding performance of the crew and the vessel’s robust design. Built with stringent safety specifications, LNG London strives to maintain high operational standards. This milestone is a tribute to the team’s technical expertise and steadfast dedication.

Building on the good work of LNG London, Shell had also enhanced its bunkering network with the larger Energy Stockholm, an 8,000 m³ bunker vessel, now operating in Antwerp, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, and Amsterdam.

Related: Europe: ‘LNG London’ bunkering vessel starts operations at Rotterdam
Related: “LNG London” conducts first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation at Rotterdam
Related: Bureau Veritas classifies Europe’s largest inland waterway LNG bunker barge
Related: Europe’s largest LNG bunkering barge on maiden voyage to ARA
Related: Shell takes delivery of Europe’s largest inland LNG bunkering vessel

 

Photo credit: Victrol
Published: 14 July 2025

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS



Trending