Business

MPA issues revision of Singapore bunkering standard SS 600: 2022

Latest revision aligns SS 600:2022 bunkering standard with SS 648:2019 and SS 660:2020 regarding usage of bunker mass flow meter, amongst other changes.

Published

4 years ago

November 15, 2022

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (15 November) issued Port marine Circular No. 22 of 2022 which explains the revision of Singapore’s bunkering standard, SS 600: 2022, including procedures and standards to be followed in the event of MFM metering system failure:

REVISION OF SINGAPORE STANDARD FOR BUNKERING SS 600: 2022

This circular informs the industry of the revision and the implementation of the revised SS 600: 2022 – “Code of practice for bunkering by bunker tankers using tank gauging”.

In October 2014, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced a revision of the SS 600:2014 standard to ensure that the correct quality and quantity of the bunkers was delivered in a safe and efficient manner. As part of continuous review, the Singapore Standards Council (SSC), in collaboration with the industry and MPA, has published the SS 600:2022 edition on the Code of practice for bunkering by bunker tankers using tank gauging.

The 2022 revision of this standard consist of the following main changes:

a) Aligned with the latest published SS 648:2019 Code of practice for bunker mass flow metering and SS 660:2020 Code of practice for bunker cargo delivery from oil terminal to bunker tanker using mass flow meter.
b) Specified its use as a standard to be followed in the event of MFM metering system failure.
c) Aligned the document structure to the updated ISO requirements; and
d) Updated Annex U on SBC terms and Annex T on Resolution of disputes by the

Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA).

Shipowners/ bunker buyers, charterers, operators, surveyors and shipping agents are urged to adhere to the requirements and procedures of the latest standards, especially in the event of MFM metering system failure onboard the bunker tanker when their vessels call at Singapore for bunkering. When a MFM metering system failure occurs onboard a bunker tanker, the bunker supplier or the craft operator is required to take the permission of MPA before proceeding to or complete an ongoing delivery in accordance with SS 600:2022.

From 1 Jan 2023, SS 600:2014, will be superseded by SS 600:2022 and all bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators, bunker surveying companies and bunker surveyors will be required to comply with the requirements of SS 600:2022.

All bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators must ensure that the cargo officers and the crew onboard the bunker tankers are made aware and understand the changes made to SS 600 by 31 December 2022. Similarly, all bunker surveying companies must ensure that all bunker surveyors employed by the company are also made aware and understand the changes made to SS 600 by 31 December 2022.

The Singapore Standards can be purchased at the following address:

TOPPAN LEEFUNG PTE. LTD

1 KIM SENG PROMENADE, #18-01 GREAT WORLD CITY EAST TOWER

SINGAPORE 237994

Tel: (65) 6826 9691

Fax: (65) 6820 3341

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.singaporestandardseshop.sg

Port Marine Circular No 03 of 2015 dated 23 February 2015 is rescinded.

Should you have any queries, please write to us at [email protected].

Photo credit: Manifold Times

Published: 16 November, 2022

Legal

Shell Singapore charged over Pulau Bukom oil leaks, reporting delays

Shell faces four charges under Singapore’s Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act over two 2024 oil discharge incidents at its Pulau Bukom facility.

Published

1 day ago

September 25, 2026

Admin

2 MPA craft (left) supporting Shell craft in the clean up operations of the oil sheens taken on 28 Dec 9am

Shell Singapore has been charged over two incidents in 2024 involving oily mixtures discharged into Singapore waters from its facilities at Pulau Bukom, according to media reports on Tuesday (22 September).

The company faces four charges under the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act, including allegations that it failed to report the discharges to the port master immediately.

The first incident occurred on 20 October 2024, when approximately 40 metric tonnes (mt) of oily mixture was discharged through a hole in a pipeline at the Shell Singapore Energy and Chemicals Park at about 8am.

Shell is accused of reporting the incident to the port master at about 12.55pm, several hours after the discharge occurred.

The second incident took place between 26 and 28 December 2024. An estimated 485kg to 956kg of oil mixture was discharged into Singapore waters from the same facility.

Shell is accused of failing to report the incident immediately, with notification to the port master made at about 11.50am on 26 December 2024, according to the charges.

Singapore’s pollution-prevention regulations require occupiers of such facilities to report oil or oily-mixture discharges into Singapore waters “without delay and to the fullest extent possible”.

Shell’s representative requested an eight-week adjournment at the 22 September hearing, citing the need to obtain internal instructions, appoint counsel and locate historical records. The company said the business associated with the incidents had been divested in 2025.

The case was adjourned to October. Shell is also facing prosecution by Singapore’s National Environment Agency over the same incidents.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 25 September, 2026

Incident

MPA probes Singapore Strait collision involving fishing vessel, bulk carrier

MPA says there were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel in the incident involving China-registered fishing vessel “Lu Qing Yuan Yu” and Panama-registered bulk carrier “First Margaux” .

Published

1 day ago

September 25, 2026

Admin

Panama-registered bulk carrier “First Margaux”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (22 September) said it is investigating the incident involving the China-registered fishing vessel Lu Qing Yuan Yu and the Panama-registered bulk carrier First Margaux in the Singapore Strait on 17 September.

MPA said there were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel or pollution arising from the incident and navigational traffic was not affected.

Videos circulating on social media showed the bulk carrier colliding with the fishing vessel.

“The fishing vessel took on water during the incident but remained afloat and stable, with the crew taking measures to manage the situation onboard,” MPA said.

The vessel was subsequently towed to Raffles Reserved Anchorage for assessment.

Essential crew remained onboard to support the tow, while the Singapore Civil Defence Force supported the transfer of other crew to shore.

MPA added it also issued navigational safety broadcasts to keep other vessels clear of the tow and escorted the vessel into port with a MPA craft.

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Arnold Pohen
Published: 25 September, 2026

Mass Flowmeter

TFG Marine deploys first MFM-equipped bunker barge in Jamaica

Bunker barge “Kingston Trader” is currently on its way to Jamaica following the successful installation of a Coriolis mass flow meter (MFM) system, certified to ISO 22192.

Published

1 day ago

September 25, 2026

Admin

TFG Marine deploys first MFM-equipped bunker barge in Jamaica

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Thursday (24 September) said its bunker barge Kingston Trader is currently on its way to Jamaica following the successful installation of a Coriolis mass flow meter (MFM) system, certified to ISO 22192.

The company said the latest installation brings the proportion of TFG Marine’s fleet equipped with MFMs to approximately 88%, marking another step in the continued rollout of this technology across its global bunkering operations.

“The barge will operate in Jamaica through our local partnership with Scott Petroleum, becoming the first bunkering vessel in the region equipped with this technology and bringing greater accuracy, transparency and assurance to fuel measurement for customers across the Caribbean,” TFG Marine said in a social media post.

“Together with Scott Petroleum, we look forward to working collaboratively with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, the The Port Authority of Jamaica, Petrojam Limited and other stakeholders to share our experience of MFM technology, explore its wider benefits and support the continued development of bunkering standards across the region.”

Manifold Times previously reported TFG Marine continuing to expand MFM technology across its US Gulf Coast bunker fleet with Buffalo B414 and Buffalo B304 being fitted with the equipment.

Last year, TFG Marine announced it reached a key milestone in its global digitalisation programme with the installation of an ISO 22192-compliant MFM on the Buffalo 404, a barge on time charter from American bunker barge company Buffalo Marine Service Inc.

The installation was part of TFG Marine’s wider strategy to equip close to 90% of its global bunkering fleet with MFMs by 2026 as a commitment towards improving data integrity, streamlining operations and strengthening trust in marine fuel transactions.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 25 September, 2026