LOGISTICSTHE NEW VOICE OF THE BULK TERMINAL OPERATOR THE SETTING UP OF A MUCH NEEDED TRADE ASSOCIATION FOR THE BULK TERMINAL OPERATOR COULD SEE ABTO BECOME A KEY OPINION FORMER AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL.BY JOSEPH KEEFEhe glut of regulations that have or are due to enter into of Delegation for the International Bunker Industry Associa-force inevitably impact the bulk carrier operator but tion (IBIA) and International Bulk Terminals Association Twhile there are various organizations that provide this (IBTA). He was also a member of the IMO Secretary Gen-sector with a voice that is heard throughout the corridors of eral’s Industry and Scienti? c Expert Panel for the revision of maritime power, the global bulk terminal operators’ voice is MARPOL Annex VI and the environmental consultant of the rarely heard at such a high level. “ABTO serves to deliver that national delegation of St Kitts and Nevis.voice,” says Ian Adams, the Chief Executive of the newly es- “As a regular attendee at IMO meetings I know the value of tablished Association of Bulk Terminal Operators. a consistent and regular attendance, we need to be seen to be Created to ful? ll a need within the bulk industry for repre- attending and participating in order to gain credibility. I have sentation at national and international level, ABTO will focus also worked with the European Commission and will continue on events at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to do so,” he says.which will have an effect on the operations of terminals. “Communications between the various parties is key to not Adams looks to be the right person for the job. He has over only ABTO’s success but also its membership. There are ar-a decade of experience working at IMO, having been the Head eas which can be improved both by different parties talking Photo: Vale do Rio Doce26 Maritime Logistics Professional 3Q 2016| | 18-33 Q3 MP2016.indd 26 8/17/2016 11:32:05 AM