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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.
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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.”

Related: MPA co-funds industry move to MFM distillate bunker delivery
Related: IBIA contributes to IMO 2020 ship implementation plan
Related: IBIA: Proposal to mandate ISO sulphur test methods to be discussed
Related: IBIA issues tank cleaning advice to upcoming IMO meeting

Published: 2 August, 2018
 

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Vessel Arrest

Malaysia: MMEA detains two vessels over suspected illegal ship-to-ship transfer off Johor

Other than the vessels, MMEA also seized a cargo of oil, bringing the total value of the seizure to MYR 260 million (USD 61.9 million).
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Malaysia: MMEA detains two vessels over suspected illegal ship-to-ship transfer off Johor

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained tugboat and dredger suspected of conducting an unauthorised ship-to-ship (STS) transfer in Malaysian waters.

The two Malaysian-registered vessels were detained at around 3.20am on Wednesday by an MMEA patrol boat after the agency received public information about two suspicious vessels seen operating alongside each other about 1.4 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Buai.

MMEA Tanjung Sedili Zone Acting Director Maritime Commander Mohd Najib Sam said further inspection found that the tugboat was operated by five crew members, including its skipper, comprising Malaysian and Indonesian nationals aged between 26 and 58.

The dredger was operated by 13 crew members, including its skipper, all Malaysian nationals aged between 22 and 51.

“Further inspection also found a quantity of oil cargo believed to be without any documents relating to ownership and delivery,” Najib said.

Both vessels and the oil cargo have been seized for further investigation. The total value of the seizure, including the two vessels and the oil cargo, is estimated at MYR 260 million (USD 64 million).

The case is being investigated under Section 491B(1)(K) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952 for allegedly conducting ship-to-ship activities without authorisation from the Malaysian Director of Marine.

The vessels are also being investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) of the MSO 1952 for allegedly anchoring without permission, as well as under the Customs Act 1967 in connection with the oil cargo suspected of lacking the required documentation.

 

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 3 September, 2026

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Battery

WK NatPower expands inland shipping electrification drive into Jiangsu

WK NatPower and Jiangsu Port Investment will strengthen collaboration across the maritime, port and clean energy sectors, bringing together expertise in shipping, port infrastructure and electrification technologies.
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WK NatPower expands inland shipping electrification drive into Jiangsu

Wah Kwong NatPower (WK NatPower) on Wednesday (2 September) said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jiangsu Port Group Investment Management Co Ltd (Jiangsu Port Investment), a wholly owned subsidiary of Jiangsu Port Group, at the Jiangsu International Maritime Conference in Nanjing. 

The company said the MoU strengthens collaboration across the maritime, port and clean energy sectors, bringing together expertise in shipping, port infrastructure and electrification technologies.

As China’s leading province for inland waterway transport, with the country’s largest inland waterway network, Jiangsu plays a critical role in the nation’s shipping and logistics system. 

“The partnership represents a strategic step in WK NatPower’s China strategy,” the company said in a statement. 

Building on the momentum of its Zhejiang projects, WK NatPower is extending its footprint further into one of the country’s most significant inland shipping areas. By leveraging the strengths of their respective parent companies, Jiangsu Port Group, Wah Kwong Maritime Transport and NatPower, the parties will also establish a cooperation mechanism to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration and enhance the complementary use of global maritime and port resources.

From a technological perspective, WK NatPower is evolving from individual charging infrastructure towards integrated energy systems combining charging, battery storage and battery-swapping solutions capable of serving a broader range of operational scenarios. 

By combining the international experience and global network of WK NatPower and its partner NatPower Marine, with Jiangsu Port Group’s local resources and project delivery capabilities, the partnership will promote coordinated regional development. 

It also demonstrates WK NatPower’s commitment to the electrification of China’s inland waterway transport sector.

 

Photo credit: Wah Kwong NatPower
Published: 3 September, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Hercules Tanker Management’s ‘Ultra-Spec Series’ tanker “Vanessa” begins maiden voyage

Designed for worldwide deployment, the series can transport and supply conventional marine fuels as well as alternative fuels up to B100 and methanol.
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Hercules Tanker Management’s ‘Ultra-Spec Series’ tanker “Vanessa” begins maiden voyage

Hercules Tanker Management (HTM) on Wednesday (2 September) said its latest Ultra-Spec Series of next-generation tankers, Hercules Vanessa, has commenced her maiden voyage.

HTM is the shipping venture launched by John A. Bassadone, founder and CEO of independent marine fuel supplier Peninsula.

The 10-vessel programme forms part of the company’s long-term fleet renewal strategy, replacing ageing tonnage with more efficient vessels while delivering the future-ready capability needed to support the maritime industry’s evolving energy landscape. 

Designed for worldwide deployment, the series can transport and supply conventional marine fuels as well as alternative fuels up to B100 and methanol. 

Hercules Vanessa is also the first in the series to feature MarineLINE, a high-performance cargo tank coating system. 

The vessel is currently en route to Port Louis to take bunkers and provisions before continuing southbound towards Cape Town. It is scheduled to discharge a cargo of biofuel, loaded at Nansha Terminal in China, in Ghent later this year.

“HTM’s Ultra-Spec Series continues to gather momentum as we build a modern fleet capable of supporting cleaner marine fuel supply chains,” the company said. 

Related: Hercules Tanker Management launches ‘Ultra-Spec Series’ bunker tanker “Harriet”

 

Photo credit: Hercules Tanker Management
Published: 3 September, 2026

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