Maria Skipper Schwenn Elected to IBIA Board: Green Advocacy Milestone

by Admin
Maria Skipper Bunker Holding IBIA Member

Maria Skipper Schwenn, Director of Environmental Regulatory and Public Affairs at Bunker Holding Group, has been elected to the Board of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA). With a robust background in maritime environmental regulations and public affairs, Schwenn brings a wealth of expertise to her new role.

Expressing her gratitude for the support she received during the election process, Schwenn stated, “I’m honored to share that I’ve been elected to the Board of IBIA. As a crucial part of the maritime value chain, the bunker industry has a huge opportunity to raise a strong, collective voice, and I’m really looking forward to contributing by bringing my expertise in maritime environmental regulations and the political landscape into play.”

Schwenn’s career highlights her commitment to environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance within the maritime sector. As Director of Environmental Regulatory and Public Affairs at Bunker Holding A/S, she is playing a pivotal role in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and driving sustainable solutions.

Her leadership extends beyond Bunker Holding A/S, as evidenced by her involvement as a Board Member at Danfoss IXA and Chair of the Maritime Task Force at EWABA. Additionally, Schwenn serves as an Advisory Board Member at ReFlow, focusing on environmental performance initiatives.

Prior to her current roles, Schwenn held significant positions at Danish Shipping, where she served as Direktør/Executive Director, Climate, Environment, and Security, among other key roles. Her educational background includes a Cand.Scient.Pol in Political Science from Syddansk Universitet – University of Southern and a Master of European Politics and Administration from the College of Europe.

“I’m equally excited about getting to collaborate with some of the industry’s top experts at a point of time where new fuels, decarbonisation, regulatory challenges, and geopolitical instability are requiring alertness and forward thinking,” Schwenn emphasized, highlighting the pressing issues facing the bunker industry today.

She will join the IBIA Board on 1 April 2024.

Maria Skipper Schwenn’s election to the IBIA Board signifies a significant step forward in championing environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance within the global bunker industry. Her expertise and leadership will undoubtedly contribute to shaping the industry’s response to emerging challenges and opportunities.

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) serves as the global voice of the bunker industry, encompassing all sectors and the entire industry value chain. It represents stakeholders in discussions with other industry associations, national and international policymakers, and legislators, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO), where IBIA holds consultative NGO status. IBIA promotes industry welfare through education, professional conduct, and standard development.

Since its inception in October 1992, IBIA’s membership has expanded to include a wide array of stakeholders, such as ship owners, bunker suppliers, oil majors, traders, brokers, and more. With offices in the UK, South Africa, and Singapore, IBIA provides an international platform to address industry concerns and engage with policymakers and other stakeholders on a global scale.

Source International Bunker Industry Association IBIA