EMEA News
IBIA Regional Forum Will "Showcase the Bunkering Industry in Gibraltar"
The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) Tuesday announced in an emailed statement the opening of its Regional Forum in Gibraltar, which will focus on the territory as a hub for bunkering.
The conference, which lasts until Friday, will cover a range of topics including an overview of bunkering in the Mediterranean, mega-yacht and leisure services, updates on the International Maritime Organziation's (IMO) steps to improve fuel quality, and IBIA's Port Charter initiative.
"The conference will provide us with the opportunity to showcase the bunkering industry in Gibraltar," said Captain of the Port, Bob Sanguinetti.
Speakers at the conference will include representatives from the Gibraltar Government, Peninsula Petroleum, World Fuel Services, Intertanko, Vopak, Vemaoil, and Aegean Marine Petroleum.
"Gibraltar is one of Europe's key bunkering hubs and holding our regional event here gives us an opportunity to show what IBIA is doing to help improve fuel quality, and through our training, help raise standards," said IBIA CEO Peter Hall.
As a member of IBIA's Port Charter initiative, Gibraltar is required to demonstrate that it has in place a licensing scheme for bunker suppliers, that it is able to regulate and enforce rules surrounding bunkering operations, there are sufficient qualified personnel work in the bunker supply chain, and that effective testing regimes exist.
Last week, the Gibraltar Government said "the bunkering of liquefied natural gas [LNG] is not only safer than the bunkering of diesel, but is also cleaner" as it sought to rebuff criticism over plans to build a LNG handling facility for bunkering use.
