IPTA Coming of Age Celebration

IPTA celebrated the 21st anniversary of its founding in 1987 by holding a conference and reception at the Naval Club in London on 9 April, both of which were well attended.

Six speakers had been invited to address the IPTA membership on a wide variety of issues affecting the chemical tanker industry today and all the presentations generated a good deal of discussion. Click here to view details of the presentations.

The evening reception was held in the splendid surroundings of the Naval Club's dining room, with the IMO Secretary General, Admiral Efthimios Mitropoulos, as guest of honour. 

The IPTA Chairman, Rene Gaanderse, made a short speech summarising the work the association has been involved in since its founding twenty one years ago and calling for recognition of the significant investment that chemical tanker owners make in their vessels in order for them to meet the rigorous regulatory requirements placed upon them.

Click here to view the text of Mr. Gaanderse's speech 

Admiral Mitropoulos then addressed the assembled guests, praising the contribution IPTA has made to the work of IMO, especially its "vital contribution" to the revision of MARPOL Annex II, and highlighted two areas where its help will be needed in future: the working group on fires and explosions aboard chemical tankers, and ensuring sufficient onboard expertise at a time when there is expected to be a sharp rise in the number of chemical tankers in the world fleet.

Click here to view photos of IPTA reception at the Naval Club