World Bunkering > News > Spring 2009 > Moving ahead in uncertain times

IBIA Annual Convention

When, amid the booming shipping markets of 2007, the IBIA secretariat decided on the dates of the IBIA convention for 2008, they had certainly had not expected it to coincide with the worst economic news that most of us can remember.

The Cape Town meeting also came just as the shipping industry was in a state of shock that Somali pirates had been able, a few days earlier, to hijack the VLCC Sirius Star hundreds of miles off the African coast. So, not surprisingly, there was a more sombre mood among delegates than in previous years. This was reflected in IBIA chairman Fritz Fredriksen’s speech, where he noted: “For me, the annual IBIA convention is one of the highlights of the year, and I suspect that most – if not all – of you will agree that 2008 is a year which certainly needs a highlight.”

Commenting on the state of the economy, Fredriksen wondered: “How did it happen, when there are so many minimum standards in place governing both operations and levels of solvency?”

He observed: “There are those who argue that the minimum standards themselves are to blame, because companies are working towards achieving those minimums and then becoming careless. If that is the case, perhaps there is a lesson here for the bunkering industry. Today’s industry is more heavily regulated than at any time in living memory. IBIA continues to be closely involved as the voice of the bunker industry in helping to set the standards required by an increasing number of regulators, from those who police our safety standards to those who form part of the environmental lobby. IBIA expects its members to observe those standards, and is confident that, in many cases, they exceed them. Minimum standards are set to ensure that nobody falls below the levels expected of them, but there is no penalty for going beyond them and IBIA is proud that it has so many quality and safety-driven operators among its membership.”

Into Africa

Speaking just before the chairman, IBIA secretary general Ian Adams explained the logic behind the choice of Cape Town as a venue. He said that when IBIA first started holding conventions, one of the criteria applied was that the location should move around the world so that members from all over the world could attend the convention. “So we started with Buenos Aires, which as anyone who has been there from Europe will know is a long way away. It was, however, very well supported particularly by members in the Americas, both North and South. I have to say, though, that we actually had attendees, as we have today, from all over the world. We then moved on to Hong Kong and again saw a large regional representation. This was supplemented by people from all over the world.

“Year three saw us in Europe and Monaco .... In year four we returned to the Americas, this time North America and Montreal.” Logically then the 2008 convention should have been in the Far East. That, explained Adams, did not happen because there would have been a clash with Sibcon. The Middle East was not a sensible option as Fujcon takes place early in 2009. So the obvious choice was Africa and, specifically, the bunkering centre of Cape Town. And for 2009? Delegates had to wait a bit longer to find out. The announcement that Singapore would host this year’s convention was made right at the end of the last session.

Coming soon

By the time we get to the Singapore event, to be held on Sentosa Island, IBIA will have changed. Or at least the way it is run will have done so.

Much of the morning session involved consideration and final approval of changes that have been in the offing for a couple of years now and have been the subject of a lot of hard work. At the end of the convention Adams said: “IBIA members support the restructuring process. Our members have told us what they want, both at the annual convention and in a survey conducted in late 2006. It is important to move with the times, and to embrace change where necessary and appropriate. IBIA has listened to its members, and what we are seeing now is the start of a process which will position IBIA as the undisputed representative body of choice for all suppliers and consumers of marine fuels who put quality and best practice at the heart of their operational ethos.”

The issues

The rest of the event was the usual workmanlike mix of geographically focused and technical presentations. Unsurprisingly, a significant portion of the first day was devoted to Africa, and especially South Africa. As the presentations were being made, more owners were announcing they would switch to the Cape route because of the threat from Somali pirates, making them all the more topical.

Much of the afternoon session was devoted to technical issues, under the chairmanship of John Stirling, business development consultant with DNV Petroleum Services. Not for the first time at an IBIA convention, Intertek OCA’s Wanda Fabriek was able to explain the complex world of fuel standards. Manus Henry, deputy director, Invensys University Technology Centre for Advanced Instrumentation at the University of Oxford brought delegates up to date with In-Line Metering; an entirely matter from On-Line Monitoring, which was the subject of a presentation of Tim Wilson, principal specialist engineer/FOBAS project manager at Lloyd’s Register.

Day Two comprised a morning session only and was largely concerned with the various developments at IMO over the past year that have had significant implications for the bunker industry and its customers. Adams stressed the advantages accruing from IBIA’s observer status at IMO, putting IBIA in a much better position to be aware of regulatory changes and to influence debates at the UN agency before hard and fast decisions are taken.

After hours

So a gloomy and downbeat convention? No, not at all. Despite the terrible economic news that kept on coming during the week there was a lot to be positive about. One of these things was the potential Africa holds for shipping in general and bunkering in particular. Delegates only had to look out from their rooms in very upmarket Westin Arabella Quays Hotel to see a thriving bunker port serving both the fishing industry and commercial shipping.

IBIA Annual Convention

The hotel itself was an ideal venue with conference room and exhibition space/coffee lounge side by side. It was also right by the world-famous Waterfront development which was a favourite evening haunt of many delegates.

As usual there was a lively social side to this Convention, kicking off with an opening evening reception at the Arabella sponsored by Addax, who also sponsored the coffee breaks. Then we all headed off to the Waterfront where Bominflot had laid on an informal drinks reception that kept going well into the night. Amoil and Engen each sponsored a “networking lunch” at the hotel, while the second night saw most delegates joining in the fun at the OW Party at the popular Fashion TV bar in town.

After all the hard work had finished on Thursday a good number of delegates could be seen heading back to the Waterfront for the last evening. Incidentally, the red wine to order in Cape Town is Merlust Rubicon. So that wraps up another productive IBIA convention, organised by Llewellyn Bankes- Hughes and his team from Petrospot who ensured all went smoothly.

This year the organising team will be different but, with the world’s busiest bunkering centre as a venue, IBIA 2009 should once again be the place to gather.