Connect with us

Business

IMO – The Doomly Gloomy World of Shipping

Apurva Mali, the Trading Manager for Dubai-based commodities trading firm Ennero, offers his outlook for the international shipping industry in 2019.

Admin

Published

on

5c62478c171f5 1549944716

The following blog post was prepared by Apurva Mali in his personal capacity and shared with Manifold Times. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Dubai-based commodities trading firm Ennero where is he employed as Trading Manager.

In My Opinion, (hereafter labelled IMO), outlook for 2019 for the Global Maritime Industry is not-great. But when has it ever been Great?

Yes shipping is cyclical with sharp peaks and prolonged troughs, and in my 16-year career, nothing I’ve seen overall, IMO, has come close to the highs of the pre-2008 peaks.

How does one know if the maritime industry will do well or not this year? And who has the more accurate synopsis? The ‘outlooks’ vary and point to all the varying 360 degree opinions. In this case, lets imagine the actual ship to represent the shipping industry and the external weather conditions represent the external forces the ship (industry) has to contend with. The industry is often just like a large ship changing its course without control, when its own power or steering ability fails to work, and is at the mercy of the wind and the seas. World-trade-related macro figures, brokers’ reports, shipowners and financier’s’ views all reveal a different story in line with their own understanding and objectives.

A few shipowners I spoke to while writing this, from different segments (dry bulk tanker and offshore) revealed in the simplest of words, ‘Market is bad and competition eroding margins’, and one of them even commented, ‘I’d rather be sunbathing at the beach than commenting on freight rates’, only watching ships from a distance. Perhaps ships (and the industry?) do look much prettier and calm from a distance.

IMO, the maritime shipping industry is indeed a ship without its own power or propulsion. It continues swaying and swinging within its ‘6 degrees of freedom’ (FYI, the 6 degrees are: pitch, heave, roll, surge, sway and yaw), at the mercy of the external forces of world trade, protectionism, new-fuel-regulations, a slowing China and supply-demand imbalance. And this year, even more than in 2018, it is super-obsessed with the new sulphur-emission regulations expected to come into force in 2020.

It only remains to be seen if the external forces will keep pushing the industry against its own free will and decision making. Amongst many other weather forces in 2019, IMO, it will have to also contend with two, very significant events taking place, when the world’s two largest democracies (India and USA) will host their General Elections, with each incumbent leader trying to make it Great, once again.

Readers who are interested to reach out to Apurva Mali may contact him at the following address [email protected] or mobile number at +971 50 605 1905.

Published: 12 February, 2019
 

Continue Reading

Mass Flowmeter

MFM-equipped CPN barge first listed under Hong Kong quality bunker scheme

Chimbusco Pan Nation’s bunker barge “Zhong Ran 23” has become the first vessel in Hong Kong listed on Marine Department’s official List of Quality Bunker Vessels, under a newly-launched scheme.

Admin

Published

on

By

MFM-equipped CPN barge first listed under Hong Kong quality bunker scheme

Hong Kong-based marine fuel supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation (CPN) on Tuesday (16 June) announced that its bunker barge Zhong Ran 23 has become the first vessel in Hong Kong listed on the Marine Department’s official List of Quality Bunker Vessels.

The list under the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme launched on 3 June.

“The Scheme is a voluntary initiative designed to raise the standard of bunkering accuracy, transparency, and service quality in Hong Kong,” CPN said in a social media post.

“To be listed, a bunker vessel must have its Mass Flow Meter (MFM) system independently certified under ISO 22192, the international benchmark for mass flow metering in bunkering operations.”

CPN added it has operated the MFM system across our fleet of fuel oil barges since 2015. 

Manifold Times previously reported Hong Kong’s Marine Department (MD) launching the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme to encourage bunker operators to install and use mass flow meter systems (MFM systems) on their bunker vessels.

MD said the scheme aims to enhance Hong Kong’s bunkering service quality and the competitiveness of Hong Kong ports, thereby further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre and a major bunkering port.

Under the Scheme, bunker operators of traditional maritime fuel and biodiesel that install and use MFM systems on their bunker vessels, with the MFM systems inspected and certified by an accredited body in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 22192 Standard or equivalent requirements, can apply to the MD for inclusion in the scheme’s “List of Quality Bunker Vessels”, provided they meet the relevant technical and operational requirements. 

Related: Hong Kong backs MFM adoption with voluntary scheme to boost bunkering competitiveness

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation
Published: 17 June, 2026

Continue Reading

Financial Result

Bunker Holding exceeds FY2025/26 forecast despite geopolitical headwinds

Bunker Holding delivered a gross profit of USD 424 million and a profit before tax of USD 73 million, exceeding the Group’s expectations for the year.

Admin

Published

on

By

RESIZED bunker holding

Bunker Holding on Tuesday (16 June) said it delivered a strong performance in the financial year 2025/2026 despite continued uncertainty across global markets. 

The year was shaped by geopolitical developments, evolving trade flows, periods of heightened market volatility, and strong competition.

These conditions were further amplified by developments in the Middle East, which added complexity across global energy markets and shipping routes. 

In response, Bunker Holding focused on getting closer to customers and understanding the different challenges faced across shipping segments. This enabled faster decision-making, greater agility under pressure, and allowed the Group to respond effectively while continuing to support customers reliably.

Against this backdrop, Bunker Holding delivered a gross profit of USD 424 million and a profit before tax of USD 73 million, exceeding the Group’s expectations for the year. Equity increased to USD 342 million.

Revenue amounted to USD 13.1 billion, a decrease of 4% compared to the previous year. The decline primarily reflected lower average oil prices during the financial year, despite periods of heightened market volatility and stronger pricing towards the end of the period.

“This year, we have taken important steps to strengthen Bunker Holding for the future. We have simplified parts of the organisation, brought teams closer together, and made the changes needed to make us more focused and efficient. Our markets remained challenging and unpredictable, but I am pleased with both the result we have delivered and the progress we have made,” said Peder Møller, CEO of Bunker Holding.        

Looking ahead to 2026/27, Bunker Holding anticipates intense market competition alongside continued investments in low- and zero-carbon fuel projects and partnerships.

Changes to the Board of Directors

Bunker Holding said the company is strengthening its Board of Directors with the appointment of several new members and a new Chairman of the Board.

Nina Østergaard, CEO and co-owner of USTC, will assume the role of Chairman of the Board, while Henrik Andersen, Group President and CEO of Vestas Wind Systems A/S, will join as Vice Chairman. Tina Revsbech, CEO of Maersk Tankers, and Kenneth Steengaard, Chairman of the Board of Global Risk Management, will join the Board as new members.

At the same time, current Chairman Klaus Nyborg and Board member Peter Frederiksen will step down from the Board.

Nina Østergaard, incoming Chairman of the Board, said: “I am excited to take on the role as Chairman of Bunker Holding at an important time in the company’s development. Bunker Holding has a strong market position, a clear strategic direction, and significant opportunities ahead. I am also pleased to welcome Henrik Andersen, Tina Revsbech, and Kenneth Steengaard to the Board. They each bring valuable experience and perspectives, and I am particularly pleased that we have attracted such strong international profiles as Henrik and Tina, whose leadership experience from Vestas and Maersk Tankers will further strengthen the Board and support the company’s continued development.”

The addition of Kenneth Steengaard moves Bunker Holding closer to its sister-company Global Risk Management and adds important insight into risk management.

Bunker Holding founder and co-owner Torben Østergaard-Nielsen thanked the departing Board members for their contributions to the company.

 

Photo credit: Bunker Holding
Published: 17 June, 2026

Continue Reading

Business

Oilmar establishes Board of Directors amid international expansion

Three directors are Chief Executive Officer Yusif Mammadov, Chief Finance Officer Nain Shafi, and Legal, Credit and Compliance Head Taira Shikhiyeva.

Admin

Published

on

By

Oilmar formalises Board of Directors amid international expansion

UAE-based marine fuel and petroleum products trader Oilmar on Tuesday (16 June) announced the formal establishment of its Board of Directors, marking an important milestone in the company’s evolution.

The three directors are Chief Executive Officer Yusif Mammadov, Chief Finance Officer Nain Shafi, and Legal, Credit and Compliance Head Taira Shikhiyeva.

The formation of the Board was first communicated during Oilmar’s Q1 2026 Townhall as part of a wider governance enhancement initiative and has now been formally implemented.  

The Board has been established to provide strategic direction, oversee risk management and governance matters, and support the company’s continued growth across its global operations.

“At inception, the Board comprises three Directors with extensive international experience across the energy, maritime, shipping, and commodity trading sectors. Together, they bring a wealth of industry knowledge and strategic expertise to support the company’s continued growth and development,” the company said.

“The Board is expected to be further strengthened through the appointment of additional Executive and Non-Executive Directors as the company continues to expand its international footprint.”

As part of the enhanced governance framework, strategic direction, risk appetite, and key business objectives will be determined at Board level, while regional management teams will remain responsible for execution within their respective markets. This structure strengthens accountability, promotes effective decision-making, and supports the Company’s long-term growth and succession objectives.

CEO Yusif Mammadov, said: “The establishment of the Board marks the next stage in Oilmar’s development as a global energy and marine fuels business. It creates a governance framework that will support our future growth, strengthen oversight across the organisation, and ensure that our strategic decisions are guided by long-term value creation and responsible risk management.”

 

Photo credit: Oilmar
Published: 17 June, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending