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The International Bunker Industry Association's regional forum opened in Gibraltar on Tuesday. Delegates include speakers from several companies in the shipping and bunkering industries including Vopak, Lloyds Fobas, and World Fuel Services.

The conference focuses on bunkering and marine services in Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Straits. Gibraltar is one of Europe's leading bunkering locations with the Gibraltar Straits area forming the largest supply hub in the Mediterranean.

Captain of the Port of Gibraltar, Commodore Bob Sanguinetti, called the event an "opportunity to showcase the bunkering industry in Gibraltar".

Gibraltar was one of the first ports to sign the IBIA's Port Charter, which aims to raise bunker fuel standards. The charter requires the port to test fuel quality and run a licensing scheme for bunker suppliers. Sanguinetti suggested the choice of Gibraltar as the location of the conference reflected the port's commitment to bunkering standards. "It reflects the hard work that Gibraltar Port Authority and our operators put into the bunker industry, as well as reinforcing the prominence and high standards we have in place across the bunkering and wider shipping communities."

IBIA Chief Executive Peter Hall said: "We're delighted at the turnout at this event, and that IBIA could bring suppliers, ship owners and port representatives together. We are all looking forward to an interesting week of discussions. Gibraltar is one of Europe's key bunkering hubs and holding our regional event here gives us an opportunity to show what IBIA is doing to help improve fuel quality, and through our training, help raise standards. We've put together an event to both educate and inform on the latest bunkering issues, which mixes the theoretical, practical and of course the social."

In addition to formal presentations the conference will also include a basic bunkering course and a programme of social events. The conference runs until 17:00 on February 27, and is hosted at the Sunborn Hotel in Gibraltar.