FOBAS: Use of bunker surveyors could avoid MFM malpractices

The Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Friday (18 October) issued a statement explaining that malpractices of mass flowmeter (MFM) bunkering operations could be resolved through the increased use of bunker surveyors.

It noted the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) recently revoking the bunker craft operator licence of Inter-Pacific Petroleum Pte Ltd (IPP) due to “magnetic interferences affecting the measurements of bunkers supplied in numerous Mass Flow Meter readings across Inter-Pacific’s fleet of Bunker Tankers”.

The MPA, meanwhile, has reiterated an intention to take “firm action” against any company found to be in contravention of the bunker craft operator licence conditions.

The loss of Inter-Pacific follows Southernpec (S) Pte Ltd losing its bunker craft operator licence under similar circumstances in May this year along with Pegasus Maritime in July 2018, Transocean Oil, Panoil Petroleum and Universal Energy in 2017 for other MFM-related operational malpractices, according to FOBAS.

“Some industry sources have already started to quote that such malpractices could be avoided by the increased use of bunker surveyors,” it states.

“This announcement highlights and reinforce the importance of appointing an independent Bunker Quantity Surveyor during bunker operations on your vessel.

“The Surveyors are trained to not only obtain and verify delivered quantities but also are skilled in identifying unusual events and activities that could jeopardize a full and fair delivery of your bunkers.”

Related: MPA revokes Inter-Pacific Petroleum bunker craft operator licence
Related: Singapore: Pegasus Maritime bunker craft operator licence revoked
Related: Bunker supplier and bunker craft operator licences of Transocean Oil revoked
Related: MPA: Processing of bunker licenses may resume by H1 2018

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 21 October, 2019