IPEC 2026: China launches national standard initiative for MFM bunkering systems

China on Thursday (22 October) took a significant step toward standardising bunker fuel measurement practices with the launch of a national standard project for Coriolis mass flow meter (MFM) bunkering systems during the 9th Interregional Petroleum and Natural Gas Enterprises Conference (IPEC 2026).

The proposed national standard, titled Requirements for Coriolis Mass Flow Meter Bunkering Systems for Marine Fuel, aims to establish a unified framework for bunker fuel measurement while supporting the wider digitalisation of China’s marine fuels industry.

Representatives from the Zhoushan Municipal Committee and Municipal Government, the Zhoushan High-tech Zone, the Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, Zhoushan Customs, and the Zhoushan Maritime Safety Administration, alongside officials from the National Technical Committee for Petroleum Static and Light Hydrocarbon Measurement and leaders from top domestic marine fuel enterprises, jointly initiated the application process for this national standard.

Authorities said the initiative builds on Zhoushan’s years of practical experience implementing MFM technology in marine fuel bunkering operations.

The move is intended to address longstanding measurement disputes associated with traditional tank-gauging methods while improving consistency and transparency across the industry.

As China’s largest bunkering port, Zhoushan has already introduced the country’s first provincial-level MFM standard and established a certification framework covering marine fuel bunkering services.

Currently, 67% of local bunker barges operating at Zhoushan are equipped with high-precision mass flow meters, while 20% have completed certification and 9% have adopted electronic Bunker Delivery Notes (e-BDNs).

Conference delegates also witnessed the presentation of China’s first bunkering service certification based on Coriolis MFM technology. The certification was awarded by SGS to China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone Orient Navigation Maritime Services Supply Co., Ltd.

According to officials, the national standard project seeks to transform local best practices into a nationwide framework covering equipment requirements, operational procedures, measurement certification and digital transaction systems.

“Accurate measurement in marine fuel bunkering is a critical foundation for securing international bunker fuel trade, improving measurement precision, and ensuring efficient customs clearance,” said a spokesman.

Zhoushan plans to continue expanding deployment of MFMs, certification programmes and e-BDN systems as part of broader efforts to improve measurement integrity and enhance the competitiveness of China’s marine fuels sector.

Moving forward, Zhoushan will collaborate with the Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, the National Technical Committee for Petroleum Static and Light Hydrocarbon Measurement (Sub committee of National Technical Committee for Standardization of Petroleum Products and Lubricants), and leading marine fuel enterprises to advance the drafting of this national standard.

Photo credit: Zhoushan Hi-Tech Zone Administrative Committee
Published: 22 October 2026