The Immediate Past Chair of International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), Constantinos Capetanakis, has stressed that the recently launched Bunker Buyers Working Group will not be a place for individual contractual disputes, but rather a forum designed to reflect the perspective of marine fuel buyers in the association's work on policy.

Capetanakis, who will coordinate the Bunker Buyers Working Group, noted that shipowners, ship managers and charterers needed a dedicated forum to discuss the practical realities of a rapidly changing, and challenging, marine energy landscape.

"The purpose is to provide a focused forum where its members can openly discuss operational and geographical challenges, transparency, fuel quality and quantity concerns, procurement practices, regional market issues, buyer-supplier interaction," Capetanakis stated.

Star Bulk Carriers' Bunker Director stressed, however, that the working group would not be a pricing forum, nor a place for disputing contracts, adding: "Its aim is to help ensure that the demand-side perspective is clearly reflected in IBIA’s policy work, industry guidance and practical output."

"This is an opportunity to help build a constructive, practical and credible bunker buyer voice within the global marine energy conversation," Capetanakis remarked.

The working group will meet online at least once a quarter. Organisations interested in joining can contact the IBIA Secretariat at ibia@ibia.net for further details.