EMEA News
Gibraltar to Host 2016 IBIA Convention
The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) announced in an emailed press release that its next annual bunker industry convention will be held in Gibraltar from November 8 to 11, 2016, in conjunction with Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar (HMGoG) and the Gibraltar Port Authority.
"Our decision to hold the annual convention in Gibraltar follows our successful event there earlier this year, and with the support and partnership of the Gibraltar Port Authority and HM Government of Gibraltar, we believe that this will be our most successful and productive convention yet," said Peter Hall, IBIA's CEO.
Hall explained that the IBIA's location selection for the 2016 convention also boasts several regional ports that are "ideally placed" to enable vessels to refuel with "minimal deviation" from the area's main shipping routes.
"Gibraltar, Algeciras, Tanger Med, and Ceuta together handle the vast majority of the bunkering in the Mediterranean – making it an excellent location for our biggest annual event," said Hall, noting that more than 70,000 vessels pass through the Strait of Gibraltar every year.
Commenting on the IBIA's selection, Gibraltar's Minister for Shipping, Albert Isola, said "this is a real feather in Gibraltar's cap."
"It clearly demonstrates the good work that the Gibraltar Port Authority is doing in promoting our services and the solid reputation that our Port enjoys globally, widely regarded as the premier centre of excellence for bunkering services in the Mediterranean by its peers and partners."
Earlier this month, at the IBIA 2015 convention, Robin Meech, vice chairman of the IBIA, said that there will be a need to "level the playing field" within the international shipping industry once a global sulfur cap of 0.50 percent is implemented by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2020 or 2025.
