THE Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has appointed the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) as one of two organisations to give an enhanced bunkering course for cargo officers in a bid to upgrade professionalism and competence.

From July 1, all new cargo officers will be required to not only be familiar with the requirements of the Singapore Standard on Bunkering (SS 600), but also to have successfully completed the Enhanced Bunkering Course, before working independently on board bunker tankers. Existing cargo officers will be required to attend and successfully complete the course by June 30 2013.

IBIA, along with the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), has run a cargo officers' course since 2009, to enhance cargo officers' technical knowledge on bunkering related shipboard operations as well as to raise general awareness of maritime security and personal safety.

Trevor Harrison, IBIA's acting chief executive said: "Credit must go to the regional manager of IBIA Asia, Kwok Fook Sing, who has invested a great deal of time and effort in devising the course structure and producing its content, as well as liaising with the MPA to ensure that the course fulfils its objectives and meets the MPA's high standards."

Kwok Fook Sing said: "We are pleased to be able to have worked with the MPA in developing this course to members of the bunkering community and we look forward to working with them to achieve their targets for quality standards through the delivery of these courses."

As well as the enhanced course, IBIA is also providing a one-day Basic Bunkering Course on SS600, which is recognised by MPA, and both courses are currently run at monthly intervals.