THE stakes could not have been higher for Dimitris Fafalios’s first year as Intercargo chairman.

Coming in with considerable technical and regulatory experience, the seasoned Greek took over the world's leading dry cargo association as the industry entered preparations for the single largest operational shift in the 2020 sulphur cap.

In a year of airing grievances on the upcoming regulations, Intercargo did not shy away from expressing concerns and criticising its flaws, from design to execution and its consequences.

The industry will find out within the next few months to what extent these concerns were justified.

Intercargo has also been among the leading voices in the industry in emphasising cargo liquefaction problems on board vessels as casualties continue to grow, having claimed more than half of all crew deaths on bulkers over the past decade.

The disappearance of the 52,378 dwt Indonesia-flagged Nur Allya bulk carrier in August with 25 seafarers and nickel ore cargo on board brought to the forefront yet again the risks that come with handling hazardous cargo.

Looking further ahead, Mr Fafalios has taken an early lead in laying out the way future greenhouse gas emission-reducing regulations should come about; he has urged measures to be tailored to the industry’s different sectors. 

Crucially for the tramp sectors, he wants charterers to be the ones responsible for meeting these regulations.

The role of charterers in GHG measures will be a significant talking point over the coming years as the International Maritime Organization and the industry tries to wrestle with the broader question of who should pay for it. 

Intercargo will likely be a central actor in this debate.