The use of Singapore’s Technical Reference for Bunker Mass Flow Metering (TR 48:2015) has been adopted by a MFM-equipped bunker tanker operating at the Port of Piraeus in Greece, learns Manifold Times.
The Athens-based supplier and bunker tanker could not be named due to a client confidentiality agreement; but the development has been confirmed by both Metcore International and Lloyd’s Register (LR) representatives.
“The accreditation process started from November 2018 when the Athens-based supplier approached LR to get their bunker tanker certified to TR 48:2015 standards,” Brian Pranesh, Sales Engineer at Singapore-based marine fuel measurement engineering solutions company, Metcore International, told Manifold Times.
“Metcore then sent its engineers to Greece to oversee the site survey, review tanker piping modifications, and conduct flange sealing while carrying out acceptance tests to ensure the tanker can achieve TR 48 compliance under LR’s mass flow metering accreditation scheme.
“Following, LR accredited the bunker tanker’s mass flow metering system (MFMS) with reference to TR 48 standards after acceptance tests were completed with satisfying repeatable and consistent results.”
Accrediting the bunker tanker to TR 48 standards in a port other than Singapore, where a standardised system has already been set in place to facilitate the MFMS accreditation process, presented an interesting challenge for Metcore and LR to overcome, according to Douglas Raitt, the Regional Consultancy Manager at bunker fuel analysis and advisory service firm LR FOBAS.
“Unlike Singapore, there was an absence of a separate bunker tanker to conduct the acceptance test,” he explained.
“As such, we overcame this hurdle by introducing a terminal for meter-in/meter-out volume checks in replacement of a supporting bunker tanker.
“We were appreciative that our client was able to provide a terminal as an alternative to a supportive bunker tanker.
“The tanker was earlier certified to Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) standards prior to TR 48 accreditation. But the tanker operator decided to further complement the certification of their MFMS by having it accredited in accordance with TR 48 standards.”
The compulsory use of MFM technology for fuel oil bunkering was made effective at Singapore since 1 January, 2017.
Metcore, LR and oil major ExxonMobil introduced the first independently accredited MFMS to operate in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region in 2018.
Related: Metcore, LR, ExxonMobil introduces MFM bunkering ops at ARA region
Related: Singapore: Metcore developing digital enhancements for MFM bunker ops
Related: Feature: Other ports play catch-up while Singapore takes lead in MFM bunkering
Related: Exclusive: Estimated annual sales volume for Singapore top bunker suppliers
Other related: MFM manufacturer Endress+Hauser celebrates 30th anniversary in Singapore
Other related: China Petroleum Circulation Association studies MFM bunkering at Singapore
Other related: VPS introduces new scoring system, refinements for MFM Quick Screen service
Other related: Maersk Oil Trading installs world’s largest bunkering MFM
Other related: Majestic Maritime Services completes E+H MFM bunker training course
Other related: Singapore: Ascenz launches Shipulse Smart Bunkering tool for MFMs
Other related: FREE: Fratelli Cosulich distributes MFM bunkering booklet
Photo credit: Metcore International
Published: 8 May, 2019
‘MPA takes a serious view of any attempt to jeopardise the integrity of the MFM and will not hesitate to take immediate and firm action against those who do so.’
Master meter will be used for verification operation of duty MFMs installed on board Singapore bunker tankers due for yearly re-validation, learns Manifold Times.
New scoring system based on premise of delivery measured against certain VPS benchmarks, Rahul Choudhuri, Managing Director, AMEA, tells Manifold Times.
Course designed for Cargo Officers and Bunker Surveyors operating within the Singapore marine fuels industry; SS648:2019 hardcopies will be given to each trainee.
‘It is important to gain a deeper understanding over TR 48:2015 non-conformances as not all cases mean we have a big problem,’ says Managing Director, AMEA.
The oil major schedules to start deliveries using the MGO MFM bunkering system from May.
The bunker player at Hong Kong and Chinese ports shares with Manifold Times what local shipping sectors went through during the early days of COVID-19 and how business is resuming.
April bunker sales results released on Wednesday caught several players, who expected volume to fall due to lower international trade and COVID-19, by surprise.
‘OTPL has a strong group of employees who have the requisite expertise and experience in ship chartering and management, which has commercial value and should be kept intact.’
Company believes market and business partners ‘likely to have greater confidence and comfort in continuing business dealings’ if placed under judicial management, says Director.
Panellists covered several marine fuel related topics including bunker fuel quality testing, COVID-2019, and long term storage of VLSFOs experienced during the first 100-day period.
Latest development alleges Chua Chin Lan facing total debt of approximately USD 5 million due to personal guarantees undertaken with Innovek and Global Energy Trading.
