(EnergyAsia, July 20 2010, Tuesday) --- The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), the 600-member worldwide bunkering confederation with consultative status at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), said it concluded its inaugural Bunker Cargo Officer Course in Singapore.

The association awarded certificates of competency to its first batch of graduates, Chen Chao, Mohamed Riszuan and Shahrizal Mohamad who are among the first to complete the three-month professional course approved by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

The graduates received their certificates from IBIA chief executive Ian Adams at its Asia Forum on July 2.

Mr Adams said: “IBIA recognises 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-recognised qualification.”

Simon Neo, executive committee chairman of the IBIA Asia Branch, said: “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.”

The programme is a collaboration between the Singapore-based IBIA Asia Branch, maritime education provider Wavelink Maritime International (WMI), and bunker industry stakeholders in consultation with the MPA, with the objective of raising professionalism through recognised industry qualifications.