Business

IBIA Asia: Direction to ‘stay on course’ with new Chairman

Timothy Cosulich discusses how IBIA Asia is supporting members on 2020, harmonisation of Singapore’s bunker supply chain, and fuel contamination issues.

Published

8 years ago

August 2, 2018

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The Singapore arm of UK-based International Bunker Industry Association, also known as IBIA Asia, will be maintaining its current direction of bringing more value to members in future operations, says its new Chairman.

“One of the good things we have at IBIA Asia is continuity,” Timothy Cosulich tells Manifold Times, while adding he is still working together with former Chairman Captain Rahul Choudhuri on tackling industry issues.

“One of the goals of IBIA Asia, specifically, is to collaborate with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on making sure the industry is well regulated and in general collaborate with institutions to ensure Singapore remains the bunker hub that it is and continues growing.

“The introduction of mass flowmeters (MFM) is great step in the right direction. The next step is to make sure the whole bunker supply chain is regulated including loadings at terminals which should also be done using MFM.”

According to Cosulich, who became Chairman of IBIA Asia earlier this year in April, bunker tanker operators suffer from measurements inaccuracies when conducting loading operations at Singapore terminals.

“This may not be intentional, but if we are unable to harmonise the bunker supply chain based on same [MFM] measuring system there will be no consistency in the way we supply bunkers to our clients,” he explains.

“There is a lot that IBIA Asia can do to support the MPA in increasing the level of transparency within the Singapore market.”

Cosulich welcomes the MPA push for innovation, such as electronic bunker delivery note (E-BDN), and the upcoming mandate to use MFM for distillate bunker deliveries at Singapore by July next year.

IBIA Asia, together with MPA, is part of the technical community responsible for the development, implementation, and regulation of bunkering standards at Singapore.

“We also have a have surveyors working group within IBIA Asia focusing on collaborating with port authorities to monitor the impact of potential off spec cargoes coming into Singapore.”

Moving forward, Cosulich notes of IBIA’s new logo representing a new chapter of the organisation in line with the new challenges IMO 2020 will bring to the shipping industry.

“The new logo marks a new start for IBIA with an increased focus on sharing knowledge and tackling the main industry issues on the global stage,” he says.

“It is a very interesting time for bunkering industry; 2020 is approaching fast and as IBIA we have invested a lot of time and effort in studying 2020 and its impact.

“We have conducted and produced a lot of research and another goal is to be able to communicate this knowledge and share it with our members.

“IBIA is a members-led organisation and there is a lot of value that can be brought by individuals who have the expertise knowledge information; hence is it very important all members contribute that value to the organisation.”

Published: 2 August, 2018

Winding up

Singapore: Nan Shan Maritime liquidator issues notice of intended dividend

Creditors will need to produce proofs of debt to liquidator of Nan Shan Maritime by 14 July, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

14 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Admin

A notice to declare intended dividend of Nan Shan Maritime Pte Ltd to its creditors has been posted on the Government Gazette on Tuesday (30 June).

The following are the details of the notice of intended dividend:

Name of Company : Nan Shan Maritime (Pte.) Ltd. (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 201701967H
Address of Registered Office : 10 Anson Road, #10-10, International Plaza, Singapore 079903
Last Day for Receiving Proofs : 14 July 2026
Name of Liquidator : Tam Chee Chong
Address : c/o 10 Anson Road, #10-10, International Plaza, Singapore 079903

Photo credit: steve pb from Pixabay
Published: 1 July, 2026

Fuel Testing

VPS strengthens China presence with new Shanghai marine fuel testing facility

Investment in the new testing laboratory comes as marine fuel volumes in Chinese ports continue to grow and customers increasingly demand faster testing and advisory services.

Published

14 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Admin

VPS strengthens China presence with new Shanghai marine fuel testing facility

Marine fuels testing company VPS on Tuesday (1 July) announced the opening of its brand new testing laboratory in Shanghai, China.

The company said this strategic investment strengthens VPS’ global laboratory network and reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering faster, locally-based testing services to customers operating in one of the world’s most important maritime markets.

“Shanghai has emerged as one of the fastest growing marine bunkering hubs and is expected to play a major role in the future supply of both traditional fossil fuels and emerging low-to-zero carbon fuels,” it said in a statement.

“The new Shanghai laboratory will provide comprehensive marine fuel testing services, enabling customers to benefit from further improved turnaround times and enhanced operational decision making.”

The facility will support vessel owners, operators, charterers and fuel suppliers, with rapid, independent analysis and technical expertise, helping stakeholders to manage fuel quality risks, protect assets and maintain regulatory compliance.

Dr. Malcolm Cooper, CEO at VPS, said: “VPS is pleased to announce the opening of our new Shanghai Laboratory, which will provide fuel quality testing for bunker fuels including methanol. China is central to the global shipping industry being the world’s largest shipbuilder, producer of shipping containers and operator of the biggest commercial fleet. Shanghai is therefore the perfect home for our latest laboratory, as VPS is the world’s leading fuel testing company”.

The investment comes as marine fuel volumes in Chinese ports continue to grow and customers increasingly demand faster testing and advisory services. The new facility further enhances the VPS global footprint, which already includes laboratories in Rotterdam, Singapore, Fujairah, Houston and Manchester, supported by an international team of technical experts, sales professionals and customer service specialists.

In addition to supporting conventional marine fuels, the Shanghai laboratory will provide testing and advisory services relevant to the industry’s growing adoption of low-to-zero carbon fuels, assisting customers to navigate emerging fuel quality performance and compliance challenges.

Andrew Morton, VPS MD-AMEA, stated: “The opening of our new laboratory in Shanghai’s Lingang New Area, positions VPS at the heart of one of China’s most important maritime and industrial growth hubs. This investment reflects our confidence in the Chinese maritime market, our commitment to supporting customers closer to where they operate and our belief that Asia will remain at the forefront of shipping’s energy transition.”

The Shanghai laboratory will serve both domestic and international customers operating throughout China and across the wider Asia-Pacific region, supporting ongoing growth in marine fuel testing demand and providing a platform for future expansion of VPS services within the Chinese maritime sector.

Photo credit: VPS
Published: 1 July, 2026

Bunker Fuel

AD Ports Group and IRH Global Trading to advance bunkering at Khalifa Port

Both signed a MoU, outlining potential collaboration in bunkering services to vessels calling at Khalifa Port and the development of alternative bunker fuels such as LNG, biofuels, and methanol.

Published

14 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Admin

AD Ports Group and IRH Global Trading to advance bunkering at Khalifa Port

AD Ports Group on Tuesday (30 June) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IRH Global Trading Ltd. to explore strategic cooperation in bunkering services and alternative marine fuels at Khalifa Port.

The MoU outlines potential collaboration across a range of areas, including the provision of bunkering services to vessels calling at Khalifa Port, the development of alternative fuel solutions such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), biofuels, and methanol, and the exploration of opportunities related to fuel storage infrastructure, terminal facilities, and fuel sampling and testing capabilities.

Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO, Ports Cluster – AD Ports Group, said: “This collaboration reflects our commitment to forging strategic alliances that create long-term, sustainable value.

“By working alongside trusted partners such as IRH, we are enhancing our capabilities and supporting the development of future-ready infrastructure and services that reinforce the UAE’s position as a leading global trade and logistics hub, in line with the vision of our wise leadership.”

Ali Rashed Alrashdi, Group CEO – International Resources Holding, said: “This collaboration with AD Ports Group reflects IRH’s commitment to build strategic partnerships that drive real economic impact.

“As we continue to develop our global energy trading platform, bunkering and alternative marine fuels represent a high-potential area of growth. We see Khalifa Port as an ideal base from which to explore these opportunities, and we look forward to working closely with AD Ports Group to bring them to life.”

Through this collaboration, AD Ports Group and IRH Global Trading aim to further enhance Khalifa Port’s value proposition as a multi-purpose, deep-water port that supports efficient, sustainable, and future-oriented maritime operations.

IRH Global Trading is a global commodities trading firm with interests across the mining and energy value chain and plans to build a diversified global minerals and energy trading platform, including LNG, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), crude oil, and petroleum products.

Photo credit: AD Ports Group
Published: 1 July, 2026