Welcome Remarks by Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, SIBCON 2026 Speakers’ Dinner, at Mason’s Table, 13 October 2026 

Mr Kitack Lim, Secretary-General Emeritus of the International Maritime Organization, or IMO, 

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

1    Good evening. A very warm welcome to the SIBCON Speakers’ Dinner, especially to our overseas guests who have travelled to join us.  

2    This dinner is a long-standing tradition. It is our opportunity to thank you, our speakers and Steering Committee members, for your time, expertise and perspectives. 

3     This year marks the 24th edition of SIBCON. Since its inception in 1988, SIBCON has had two enduring strengths. 

4    The first is the quality and diversity of our community. This week, we expect over 2000 participants from more than 60 countries, including leaders from shipping, energy, bunkering and the wider maritime ecosystem. They bring the perspectives needed to turn discussion into practical and real solutions. 

5     The second is its ability to evolve alongside Singapore’s growth as the world’s leading bunkering hub. Over the years, the industry has progressed from conventional marine fuels to LNG, biofuels, methanol, ethanol and ammonia, and potentially hydrogen in the future. Bunkering operations have also advanced, with stronger standards, greater transparency and closer collaboration with industry.

6    Throughout these changes, SIBCON has remained an important platform for the global bunkering community to exchange views and shape its next steps.

7    That role matters more than ever this year. Our theme, “Charting a Resilient Multi-Fuel Future”, comes at a time of uncertainty. Fuel and technology pathways are maturing at different speeds, with no clear winning solution. Global regulations also remain unsettled, making it difficult for industry players to make long-term investments. 

8    This makes it all the more important for stakeholders across the maritime and energy value chains to come together, learn from one another and chart a way forward.

9    This evening, we are very privileged to have with us Mr Kitack Lim, Secretary-General Emeritus of the IMO. During his tenure as IMO Secretary-General, Mr Lim played a pivotal role in building international consensus for the adoption of the landmark 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, which sets the ambition for international shipping to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by or around 2050. The Strategy has laid an important foundation for the maritime industry's transition towards cleaner and alternative fuels. 

10    Mr Kitack Lim also contributed to many other areas, including improving seafarer welfare and safety across the shipping industry, and pushing the industry towards greater digitalisation, connectivity and data exchange. All of these laid the foundations for the growth of shipping and the global bunkering industry. Mr Lim, thank you for all that you have done for the maritime community.

11    And to all of you, thank you once again for your contributions to SIBCON 2026. I wish everyone an enjoyable evening and a productive conference.

12    It is now my pleasure to invite Mr Kitack Lim to share his reflections.