Now in its seventh year, the Middle East Bunkering Convention (MEBC) has built a strong reputation for the quality and scope of debate it provides on the key issues and challenges facing the marine fuels sector and wider shipping industry.

As always, MEBC will look at the issues that have an impact on bunkering in the Middle East, whilst providing a useful and comprehensive overview of the global marine fuel supply and demand picture.

The pandemic continues to disrupt commerce and trade flows and the shipping market is in a state of flux as it tries to recalibrate and adjust to the ‘new normal’. The container and bulk segments are booming but other sectors are still hoping for a bounce back. The bunker business has coped well with the recent volatility in the shipping market but bunker demand has not yet returned to 2019 levels and the spectre of a credit squeeze, although deflected after the introduction of the 0.50% global bunker cap in 2020, still remains.

The way the bunker sector goes about its business is also changing, with digitalisation playing a larger role in commercial transactions and areas such as fuel consumption optimisation and the requirements for compliance becoming ever more stringent. The marine fuels sector is experiencing unremitting pressure to be more transparent in its commercial and operational practices.

The Middle East market is also experiencing change and growth in the refining and port sectors, and new alternative bunker fuels are emerging on the horizon to enable compliance with IMO greenhouse gas reduction targets.

MEBC 2022 will bring together industry experts to explain what the ‘new normal’ may be for the bunker business and to share their insights on fuel quality, legal issues, commercial and technology developments, and the future supply and demand landscape.

The week will include:

➤ MEBC CONFERENCE

 

Middle East Bunkering Convention 2022  •  Wednesday 9 - Thursday 10 March

The one and a half-day conference will combine hard-hitting and absorbing intellectual content. It is aimed at shipowners and operators, bunker supplies and traders, surveyors, agents, maritime lawyers and related service industries.

➤ TRAINING COURSES

Tuesday 8 March 2022 ~ An Introduction to Shipping Market Fundamentals

This one-day course introduces the main concepts in modelling physical shipping markets, including how to measure and report supply and demand; how to model freight rates using supply and demand; and how to model freight rates using econometrics.

➤ SHIP.ENERGY ROUNDTABLE

 

Tuesday 8 March 2022 - Shipping's Energy Transition - Industry drivers and challenges

This free to attend roundtable will bring together industry experts to discuss shipping’s decarbonisation and how the bunker industry should prepare for it. It will look at the challenges of scaling up the supply and global availability of alternative fuels, such as biofuels, LNG, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen, as well as the development of battery and fuel cell technology.

The discussion will also look at how this energy transition will be financed, who should share the cost burden and if – and when – market-based measures should be introduced to accelerate and support shipping’s energy revolution.

➤ JEBEL ALI PORT TOUR

Thursday 10 March

All registered training course and MEBC Conference delegates are invited to join an exclusive tour of Jebel Ali, DP World’s flagship port, which is not only one of the world's top ten but also the biggest and by far the busiest port in the Middle East.

Delegates are invited to register their interest in joining the tour but should be aware that the itinerary could be subject to change, or the tour could be cancelled at short notice depending on COVID-19 restrictions that are in force within the port area at the time.

Jebel Ali plays a vital role in the UAE economy and is a premier gateway for over 80 weekly shipping services, connecting more than 140 ports worldwide. Its container handling capacity has grown to 19.3 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), stretching over three container terminals that together boast 28 berths and 152 cranes. Once its fourth container terminal is completed, total capacity will rise to 22.4 million TEU.

This fascinating guided tour will bring you up close to some of the vast container ships that use the port and give you an idea of the scale of the port infrastructure and operations, as well as sight of some of the goods, vehicles, military equipment and other supplies that pass through this crucial gateway every day.

The bus will depart the Hilton Hotel at 2pm and return for 4:30pm. Please note places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

➤ EXHIBITION

 

Table Top Exhibit • Wednesday 9 - Thursday 10 March

The Middle East Bunkering Convention exhibition offers you all the benefits of a networking environment in which you can consolidate existing, and develop new, business relationships. Use this opportunity to acquire new leads and build your brand by booking a table top exhibition space.

If you are interested in speaking or joining a panel discussion, please email LBH@petrospot.com

Venue Info

Petrospot is delighted to be holding Middle East Bunkering Convention 2022 at the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah. 

The hotel features a private beach and is conveniently located at Dubai Marina, close to world-class shopping, dining and entertainment. The hotel has 12 award-winning restaurants, a health club and a spa.

Follow #MEBC22 for regular updates!