The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has awarded
Certificates of Competency to the first graduates of its
Professional Training Programme for Bunker Cargo Officers.
Chen Chao, Mohamed Riszuan and Shahrizal Mohamad were
presented with their certificates by IBIA chief executive Ian
Adams at the IBIA Asia Forum in Singapore on 2 July. The
graduates are the first to successfully complete the three-month
Bunker Cargo Officer Course, which has been approved by the
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
The course, which was jointly developed by IBIA’s Asia
Branch, Wavelink Maritime International (WMI) and bunker
industry stakeholders in consultation with the MPA, aims to raise
professionalism through recognized industry qualifications.
Adams says, “IBIA recognizes and champions the need to raise
the professionalism and competitiveness of the bunkering
industry. With the introduction of the Competency-Based
Professional Training Programme, we have taken the first step to
enhancing employability and the advancement of graduates’
careers by establishing this industry-recognized qualification.”
Simon Neo, IBIA Asia branch executive committee chairman,
adds, “Our graduates should be very proud to be the first to
complete the Bunker Cargo Officers’ Course. IBIA is delighted
that it has paved the way for standards of certification in the
bunker industry and we hope to develop this programme for
other industry professionals in the future. The sky’s the limit.”
IBIA is the association for the bunker industry. It has
consultative status at the International Maritime Organization
which enables it to represent the industry and to influence
legislation which directly affects the bunkering sector. IBIA has
more than 600 members worldwide — from every area of the
bunker industry. IBIA produces a number of publications on
various aspects of bunkering, including technical issues. In
addition, it organizes education courses. IBIA is involved with
other technical and trade association bodies in joint efforts to
seek solutions to some of the problems facing the bunker
industry. IBIA is also involved in consultation panels with other
non-governmental organizations. IBIA’s Asia Branch is based in
Singapore.
Wavelink Maritime Institute Pte Ltd is a subsidiary of Wavelink
Education Group, a partner of Singapore Maritime Officers Union
(SMOU) and the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC). It is a
premier professional organization dedicated to providing quality
maritime education, training and consultancy services for the
local and international maritime and shipping industry. The
company was incorporated under the flagship of SMOU/
Wavelink, with the main intention of providing reliable, costeffective,
efficient and effective services to the maritime and
shipping industry and in particular to the Collective Bargaining
Agreement companies within SMOU.
The MPA Singapore develops and promotes Singapore as a
premier global hub port and an international maritime centre, to
advance and safeguard Singapore’s strategic maritime interests.