World Fuel Services' customers benefit from a total quality management program that begins with our employees' commitment to our quality policy, and encompasses our multi-functional claims management system. Our concern for marine fuel quality is evidenced by our participation in marine industry associations and international fuel specification and bunker delivery committees. More specifically, World Fuel Services' total quality program includes:
- Active involvement in the development of industry standards on fuel quality and delivery procedures through direct participation in ISO (International Organization of Standards), ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), CIMAC (International Association of Internal Combustion Engine Manufacturers) and IMO (International Maritime Organization).
- Participating member of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA).
- Maintaining technical, commercial and legal experts on staff.
- Establishment of a multifunctional claims management system.
A graduate engineer with a B.Sc. in Marine Engineering and an M.Sc. in Transportation Management, Mr. Thornton has been actively involved in the maritime industry his entire career. Early on, he served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard with assignments on two ocean-going vessels, and as a shipyard repair inspector. He subsequently joined Esso International as a marine sales port engineer, servicing Esso fueled and lubed ships in the port of New York. Assignments as a bunker salesman and fuels pricing coordinator followed, but for most of his long career with Exxon International, he was their international marine fuel quality and facilities advisor responsible for Exxon bunker specifications, fuelling terminals and bunker barging operations. During the 1990s, he had added responsibility for the quality of all residual fuel, motor gasoline, distillate fuel, LPG and asphalt products marketed by Esso/Exxon outside the U.S.
After retiring from Exxon in 1997, Robert joined Trans-Tec Services (UK) Ltd. as Managing Director and as Technical Director for World Fuel Services' affiliated companies, where he continues his activities with various industry organizations:
- Chairman of ASTM Tech E.07, Marine Fuel Section
- Project Facilitator ISO 8217 Marine Fuel Specifications Working Group
- Project Facilitator ISO/TR 13739 - Bunkering Protocol
- Member of the CIMAC Heavy Fuels Working Group
- Delegate to IMO's Marine Environmental Protection Committee
- Council of Management, International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA)
- Member of BIMCO standard bunkering contract (SBC) subcommittee
