International shipping carries 80-90% of world trade and is of vital importance to the world economy and the industry does accept its responsibility to reduce harmful emissions. The industry is therefore engaged in international legislation and technology that are vital for reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency. IBC 2008 presented 30 speakers, all of which are high-ranking experts engaged in oil companies, shipping companies, survey and class, law firms, governmental institutions, regional and national authorities, financial institutions and environmental organisations.
Øystein Dahle, the Chairman of the Board of WorldWatch Institute, opened the conference by presenting an overview of the global situation. Mr. Sveinung Oftedal, from the Norwegian Ministry of Environment, gave an update on the status and the implications of the latest protocol of MARPOL Annex VI (BIMCO standards for reducing emissions in shipping). A panel from California including federal, state and local authorities addressed present and future US legislation on emissions.
This year’s conference was sponsored by Chemoil, DNV, ExxonMobil, Stena Oil, and The Danish Bunker Association. Media sponsors were Bunkerworld, Petrospot and TradeWinds.
Next year IBC will celebrate its 30th anniversary when IBC 2009 will meet in Oslo where it all began more than 30 years ago as the first Conference dedicated exclusively to the Bunker Industry. Our priority as organisers remains to address current issues important to the bunker industry in a friendly atmosphere, with the opportunity to mingle and network during breaks and at social events in the evenings.
