20 May - 22 May
The Westin Tampa Waterside, Florida, USA
Maritime Week America (MWA25) returns to the fabulous new location of Tampa, on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It will again bring together over 250 bunker buyers, suppliers and traders – and related maritime sectors – to discuss the key issues they face today. As always, MWA25 will feature some exciting networking events, designed to highlight the new venue and to ensure that the delegates take every opportunity to network.
MWA25 Programme
Programme details are updated regularly and are subject to change as new speakers are confirmed and themes developed.
If you feel you could make a significant contribution to the programme, please email Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes at [email protected] or call +44 1295 814455 to discuss this further.
Silver Sponsor
This session will focus on Jamaica, an island state determined to revitalise and boost its shipping, maritime and bunkering activities. It will look at traditional fuels and LNG, as well as Jamaica’s bunkering infrastructure.
Moderator:
Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, CEO & Founder, ship.energy
Regulation and the Development of the Jamaican Maritime Sector
Bertrand Smith, Director General, Maritime Authority of Jamaica
Bunker Operations
Stephen Gabbadon, Logistics and Business Development Manager, Scott Petroleum Ltd
Barge Deliveries
Katasha Thompson, Senior Supervisor Marketing and Customer Service, Petrojam Ltd
Panel Discussion and Q&A
CEO & Founder
ship.energy
Joint CEO, Shipping Innovation | Director, Maritime UK
Llewellyn began his career in the oil industry in 1980, working both as a journalist and as oil broker in London and New York, with Petroleum Argus, Eperon Petroleum, Albion Oil, Petroleum Intelligence Weekly and OPEC Listener, before joining MRC Business Information Group in Oxford – which later became Lloyd’s List Intelligence after MRC’s acquisition by Informa – where he rose to Managing Director before leaving in May 2003 to establish Petrospot Ltd.
He is a Founding Member of the International Bunker Industry Association, which he helped create in 1993 and has organised conferences, seminars, training courses and multiple other events in 35 countries around the world and attended events as a journalist or conference speaker in a further dozen countries.
Llewellyn is co-creator, co-founder and co-owner of the biennial London International Shipping Week, whose first edition took place in September 2013 and has become one of the largest maritime events in the world.
Llewellyn was born in Abergavenny, Wales, in 1957 and lives in Oxfordshire.
Director General
Maritime Authority of Jamaica
Mr. Smith is an Attorney-at-Law with over twenty (20) years experience in the areas of maritime and international law. He was recently appointed the Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica and prior to that appointment he was the head of the legal division of the Maritime Authority where was responsible for development of shipping legislation and advising the Authority and the Jamaican Government on a wide range of maritime matters.
He represents Jamaica at a number of International Maritime Organization meetings including the Legal and Marine Environment Protection Committees and has been responsible for the incorporation of a number of IMO and ILO maritime treaties into local legislation.
Mr. Smith read for a Bachelor of Laws at the University of the West Indies and after completing his studies at the Norman Manley Law School he pursued a Master of Science degree at the World Maritime University in Sweden.
He has published articles on legal issues relating to shipping law, maritime security, marine environmental law, fisheries law and lectured at the Caribbean Maritime University on maritime law and carriage of goods by sea law.
Mr Smith is a member of the Jamaican Bar Association and the current chair of the Maritime Law Committee.
Logistics & Business Development Manager
Scott Petroleum Ltd
Stephen Gabbadon is the Logistics and Business Development Manager at Scott Petroleum Ltd., where he leads initiatives to expand the company’s marine fuel operations and strengthen its regional presence. Since joining in 2023, he has focused on enhancing bunkering services in Jamaica and driving strategic growth.
He brings over 15 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, including nine years as Economic and Planning Coordinator at Petrojam Limited. His expertise spans fuel logistics, fuel blending, scheduling and economic planning.
At Scott Petroleum, Stephen plays a key role in aligning operations with emerging industry trends while delivering value through innovation and efficiency. He is committed to advancing the region’s energy resilience and supporting the evolution of maritime fuel supply.
Stephen joins MWA Tampa to share insights on bunker operations and regional developments in marine fueling.
Senior Supervisor Marketing and Customer Service
Petrojam Ltd
Known for her keen relationship-building skills across operators in the oil and gas industry, Katasha Thompson oversees Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service at Jamaica’s sole oil refinery, Petrojam. Katasha plays a key role in delivering value to multinationals, local marketing companies, bunker customers and partners.
With over 15 years of experience across the telecoms and energy industries, Katasha is passionate about driving growth, building strong customer relationships, and making things work better – from the inside out. Whether it’s streamlining operations or shaping strategies that put the customer first, she brings a practical, result-oriented approach to every challenge.
Since joining Petrojam, she’s worked on improving the way Petrojam connects with and serves the changing needs of its clients. More recently, Katasha has been focused on supporting Petrojam’s new commercial goals in the ever-evolving bunkering space.
A proud PMP-certified professional with a degree in Marketing from the University of the West Indies, Katasha is all about performance, partnership, and progress.
At heart, she’s passionate about collaborating with teams to cultivate the relevance and influence that are needed to deliver lasting success – both on land and at sea.
This session will take a close look at Brazil and Mexico before opening out to a panel discussion that will examine key developments in bunker markets in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Moderator:
Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, CEO & Founder, ship.energy
Brazil
Hans-Jörg Fuchsloch, Global Head of Bunker Trading, Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.
Mexico
Leonor Mondragón López, Director General, Navalmex Combustibles
Honduras
Alexandros Maradiaga, Operations Efficiency Manager, Bay Island Petroleum
Panellist
John Canal, Director, Lindsay Blee Americas LLC
Juan Pablo García, Manager, Bunker Services, Fednav Ltd
Q&A
CEO & Founder
ship.energy
Joint CEO, Shipping Innovation | Director, Maritime UK
Llewellyn began his career in the oil industry in 1980, working both as a journalist and as oil broker in London and New York, with Petroleum Argus, Eperon Petroleum, Albion Oil, Petroleum Intelligence Weekly and OPEC Listener, before joining MRC Business Information Group in Oxford – which later became Lloyd’s List Intelligence after MRC’s acquisition by Informa – where he rose to Managing Director before leaving in May 2003 to establish Petrospot Ltd.
He is a Founding Member of the International Bunker Industry Association, which he helped create in 1993 and has organised conferences, seminars, training courses and multiple other events in 35 countries around the world and attended events as a journalist or conference speaker in a further dozen countries.
Llewellyn is co-creator, co-founder and co-owner of the biennial London International Shipping Week, whose first edition took place in September 2013 and has become one of the largest maritime events in the world.
Llewellyn was born in Abergavenny, Wales, in 1957 and lives in Oxfordshire.
Global Head of Bunker Trading
Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.
Hans-Jörg Fuchsloch is a seasoned professional with over 16 years of experience at Petrobras, including 11 years in managerial roles. He holds a Master’s in Economics and Finance from Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Germany, and a Bachelor’s in Economics from PUC-Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Most recently, he served as the Managing Director of Petrobras Singapore (PSPL) until January 2024.
Currently, he is Petrobras’ Global Head of Bunker Trading, responsible for bunker trading along the Brazilian coast. Hans has extensive experience in trading various refined products, including LPG, biofuels, clean products, fuel oil, and bunker.
Director General
Navalmex Combustibles
Leonor Mondragón López is co-founder and partner of the Mexican shipping company and bunker fuel physical supplier Navalmex Combustibles in which she is currently CEO, CSO and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
She studied International Relations. She is certified in Sustainability Strategies and Opportunities for the Industry; Life Cycle Analysis; Innovation Leadership Sustainable Infrastructure Systems, Planning, Analysis and Development and as Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
In 1988, she began her working life in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the following year, she began her career in the maritime and port environment, when she took charge of the office of affairs of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at the General Directorate of Ports and Merchant Marine, Ministry of Communications and Transport (SCT). She was Deputy General Director of the then National Chamber of Shipping. Leonor also collaborated as Private Secretary to the General Director of Port Harbor Masters.
She was co-founder and president of the Mexican Association of Ship Services Industrialists (AMISBAC). She has also been president of the Mexican Maritime and Port Council (COMPORT).
Operations Efficiency Manager
Bay Island Petroleum
Maritime operations professional with over a decade of experience in port operations at Puerto Cortés—one of Central America’s key shipping hubs—and vessel services in Roatán. He has built strong expertise in port logistics, agency coordination, and operational planning, supporting a wide range of cargo and vessel types. Working now in the bunkering division, focusing on fueling operations for vessels across the Western Caribbean. While new to the sector, his expertise brings valuable operational insight and a deep understanding of maritime procedures to ensure safe and compliant fueling services. His current at BIP BUNKERS involves also market development efforts to expand bunkering services across strategic locations in the region, building on years of hands-on maritime experience in diverse operational contexts.
Manager, Bunker Services
Fednav Ltd
Juan Pablo García is an attorney by education but has dedicated his career to the shipping industry. With 13 years of experience, he began his professional journey as a ship operator at Navesco, a Colombian shipping company. During his tenure at Navesco, he also gained valuable expertise in chartering and later in crewing. He then joined Fednav and continued his career working in the Laytime department.
Two years ago, Juan Pablo had the opportunity to become involved with the bunkers department, dividing his time between laytime and bunkers. For the past year, he has devoted 100% of his time to procuring fuel for Fednav’s fleet in the Americas.
This session will feature leaders in the bunkering sector who will give their frank views on the state of the industry and take questions from the audience.
Moderator:
Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, CEO & Founder, ship.energy Ltd
Speakers:
Adrian Tolson, Owner, 2050 Marine Energy
Tammi Ingannamorte, VP Strategic Development, Lindsay Blee Americas LLC
Wajdi Abdmessih, Founder and President, Seahawk Services Inc
Steve Simms, Principal & Owner, Simms Showers LLP
Eugenia Benavides, Consultant, Eugenia Benavides Consulting
CEO & Founder
ship.energy
Joint CEO, Shipping Innovation | Director, Maritime UK
Llewellyn began his career in the oil industry in 1980, working both as a journalist and as oil broker in London and New York, with Petroleum Argus, Eperon Petroleum, Albion Oil, Petroleum Intelligence Weekly and OPEC Listener, before joining MRC Business Information Group in Oxford – which later became Lloyd’s List Intelligence after MRC’s acquisition by Informa – where he rose to Managing Director before leaving in May 2003 to establish Petrospot Ltd.
He is a Founding Member of the International Bunker Industry Association, which he helped create in 1993 and has organised conferences, seminars, training courses and multiple other events in 35 countries around the world and attended events as a journalist or conference speaker in a further dozen countries.
Llewellyn is co-creator, co-founder and co-owner of the biennial London International Shipping Week, whose first edition took place in September 2013 and has become one of the largest maritime events in the world.
Llewellyn was born in Abergavenny, Wales, in 1957 and lives in Oxfordshire.
Owner
2050 Marine Energy
Adrian Tolson is the owner of 2050 Marine Energy and is widely recognized as one of the shipping industry’s leading marine energy experts. With more than 35 years of experience, he has both detailed knowledge and unique insight into the bunker supply chain and its many related infrastructure developments.
2050 Marine Energy was formed in late 2022 to provide commercial insight to all stakeholders in the marine fuel supply chain navigating the disruption of this decade and future transformation. This new venture comes as Adrian leaves his role as Insight Lead at BLUE after more than decade of close cooperation with brand and communications consultancy. He will continue to act as a Strategic Advisor to the company, working with specific existing clients and providing consultancy on marine energy trends.
Adrian has led numerous global business development projects across the marine energy sector. This includes assisting ship owners and physical suppliers on future fuel procurement and supply strategies; the development of bunkering infrastructure projects for existing and alternative fuels; as well as working with the financial and investment community on the opportunities in the future marine energy landscape.
Adrian’s experience spans leadership roles with some of the industry’s largest marine fuel suppliers, including Chemoil Energy, where he was responsible for successfully driving the company through to IPO; and as Vice President and General Manager of OW Bunker where he established its physical supply operation in the USA.
Elected to the board of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) in 2020, Adrian is currently its Treasurer and Chairman of the IBIA’s Americas Regional Board.
VP Strategic Development
Lindsay Blee Americas
Based in the NY area, Tammi Ingannamorte is a seasoned maritime professional with deep expertise in bunker fuel brokerage, digital innovation, and strategic development. She began her career at LQM Petroleum in the 1990s, where she rose to Partner and VP of Marketing and Sales, helping establish LQM as the world’s leading pure bunker brokerage. After the sale of LQM, she played a pivotal role in the startup and growth of ClearLynx, developing a bunker planning and procurement platform handling 20 million metric tons of bunker fuel before its acquisition by ZeroNorth, where she continued to drive growth on the platform, while expanding on digital transformation of the transaction on both the buy and supply side.
Now serving as VP of Strategic Development at Lindsay Blee, an international physical supplier, trader and broker with offices in the UK for over 50 years and the USA, Tammi leverages her extensive background in business development, technology and transparent bunker procurement to expand the company’s global reach.
Founder and President
Seahawk Services
Wajdi Abdmessih is the founder and the president of Seahawk Services, with 30 years of experience in Marne fuel blending, testing, and troubleshooting problematic fuel.
Seahawk Services is a leading provider of marine fuel services, specializing in bunker fuel inspection, testing, and biofuel blending. With a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and technological innovation, Seahawk Services has established itself as a trusted partner for shipping companies seeking reliable, high-quality fuel solutions. Leveraging 30 years of industry expertise, the company is at the forefront of biofuel blending, driving carbon reduction, and promoting eco-friendly practices within the maritime sector.
Seahawk Services’ commitment to excellence and extensive network of reputable suppliers ensures seamless fuel procurement and delivery for vessels worldwide. As a dedicated advocate for sustainable fuel technologies, Seahawk Services continues to lead the industry in delivering efficient, environmentally conscious marine fuel solutions tailored to the evolving needs of its global clientele.
Principal and Owner
Simms Showers LLP
J. Stephen (‘Steve’) Simms is Principal of Simms Showers LLP. He chairs the International Bunker Industry Association’s (IBIA) Legal Working Group and is Legal Advisor to SEA/LNG.
Simms Showers is one of the world’s most active law firms working in the area of bunker trader, broker and supplier representation.
Steve Simms was selected for the U.S. Department of Justice, Honor Law Graduates Program and was a federal prosecutor and Editor‑in‑Chief of the Northwestern Journal of International Law and Business at Northwestern University School of Law (Chicago). He holds an M.A. in International Studies from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and a B.A. in International Studies from The Johns Hopkins University.
He is the husband of his wife of 33 years, Denise, and Dad of daughter Alison and son John, and of Benson, the Coton de Tulear (the royal dog of Madagascar, somewhat removed from actual royalty).
Consultant
Eugenia Benavides Consulting
Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, attended Marymount College of Virginia, USA and Universidad del Norte, Colombia earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and has a post-graduate degree in International Business Management (Univ Javeriana),Maritime Transportation and Port Legislation(Pronaval), Maritime and Port affairs(CEPAL Chile) and Administrative Skills(Univ Sergio Arboleda)
Since 1984, Eugenia worked with major oil company Terpel, handling various positions, such as sales assistant, marketing director, operations, sales, commercial manager, and company’s legal representative. On December 31 ,2024 she retired when she was the Director of Marine Fuels .She has been an active member of various professional and community organizations such as ABSA, ACSA, Marymount School Parents Association, Marymount Alumni Association GranAbastos, SACSA, Promitel, Transoccidente , participated in SPE Colombia committee and today in Actuar Famiempresasand WISTA Colombia. Last march she stepped down from IBIA. International Bunker Industry board of directors where she was since year 2011..
She has been a speaker-panellist at numerous bunker conferences worldwide. She has also been awarded with “Career achievement award” from Marymount School Barranquilla, Win Awards Voluntary Action Category 2021 from SPE and she has being included in “Top 100 women in shipping “in 2020 as #56 , #64 in 2021, #83 in 2022 , # 76 in 2023 and # 24 in 2024 on www.allaboutshipping.co.uk Top Women in Shipping.
Meet in the hotel lobby at 14:10 for a short walk to the Convention Centre dock.
What better way to wrap up a week of industry insights, connections, and innovation than with a sun-soaked cruise around the harbour?
Step aboard for two hours of breezy networking, stunning views, and a chance to unwind with colleagues old and new. Refreshments, conversation, and that unbeatable sea breeze – this is your chance to relax and celebrate a successful week.
Space is limited, so RSVP now and don’t miss the boat!
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