Low-sulphur compliance under spotlight at November 3 bunker meeting

THE bunkering industry and its customers will gather in Hamburg on November 3-7 ahead of the January 1 imposition of 50-60 per cent more fuel costs imposed by the emissions control area (ECA) rules.

Thirty experts are to address the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) annual convention just weeks before the implementation of European laws on the sulphur content of marine fuel.

The UN rule applies to the coasts of North America and the shores of the English Channel and the Baltic and the North Sea and will major increases in fuel costs with several lines having already announced surcharges.

Experts also will be looking at new fuels, emerging markets, quality and integrity and compliance with the latest regulations, according to conference organisers. 

IBIA chief executive Peter Hall said: "Our four-day event takes place during the week of the Hamburg Eisbeinessen, a huge maritime industry gathering and will help to clarify many of the issues facing shipping company executives."

The programme starts with a full day forum on Monday November 3 entitled Bunkering in 2015 and Beyond, which provides delegates with a holistic view of legislation, pricing, quality, fuel switching and sampling. 

On Tuesday, November 4, ER Schiffahrt CEO Hermann Klein will speak followed by presentations from European refiners, surveyors, owners and ports.

The Singapore Maritime Port Authority (MPA) will explain its mass flow metering initiative. Earlier this year the MPA announced that from 2017, it will be mandatory to use a mass flow metering system for marine fuel oil bunkering in Singapore.