Business

Chairman of Technical Committee for Bunkering explains SS 660, TR 80; and cast an eye to the future

Seah Khen Hee shares with Manifold Times how the new MFM bunkering standards contribute towards enhancing marine refuelling operations at the world’s largest bunkering port.

Published

4 years ago

October 7, 2020

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The following interview is part of event coverage for the upcoming Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON) 2020; where Manifold Times is an official media partner:

Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (7 October) launched SS 660:2020 and TR 80:2020 to support the global adoption of the Coriolis mass flow meter system. Shipping and maritime stakeholders can confidently apply these standards to their respective ports and ecosystem and reap the benefits of bunker quantity assurance and overall operational efficiency.

SS 660:2020 and TR 80:2020 were developed by Singapore's Technical Committee (TC) for Bunkering, which comes under the Chemical Standards Committee (CSC) of the Singapore Standards Council (SSC).

As the national standards body, ESG administers the Singapore standardisation programme through an industry-led SSC. The Standards Development Organisation at Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SDO@SCIC) manages the standards review and development of the CSC and its TCs which include TC for Bunkering.

According to the Chairman of the Technical Committee for Bunkering, both new bunkering standards build upon the success of SS 648:2019 (Code of Practice for Bunker Mass Flow Metering) which earlier took effect at Singapore port on 1 May, 2020.

“With the publication of these new standards and the launch of SS 648 in November 2019, the Technical Committee for Bunkering completes a trinity of MFM bunkering standards that enhances the integrity and trust on bunkering in Singapore,” Seah Khen Hee told Manifold Times.

He was in an interview with the Singapore bunker publication when he explained how SS 660:2020 and TR 80:2020 enhance marine refuelling operations at the world’s largest bunkering port.

SS 660:2020 – Bunker Cargo Delivery from Oil Terminal to Bunker Tanker using a MFM

“SS 660 is a Singapore Standard that specifies how a MFM system is set up and operated for the measurement and custody transfer of bunker cargo from an oil terminal to a bunker tanker, similarly as to how SS 648 governs MFM system setup and operation on bunker tankers,” explains Seah.

“In summary, SS 660 similarly follows the requirements and procedures of SS 648 such as 0.5% expanded measurement uncertainty, requirements for system integrity, metering procedure, and more, but adapted to the oil terminal interface.

“SS 660 offers local bunker players better inventory accounting and management by using a consistent accurate measurement [MFM technology] and custody transfer where the supply chain starts from the terminal and ends with final delivery of fuel to receiving vessels under SS 648.”

A feature of SS 660 is the requirement of having parties collect a representative bunker sample at the manifold of the bunker tanker during custody transfer to promote fair playing field and trade practices – all in the name of enhancing Singapore’s reputation as a bunkering port.

According to Seah, the Working Group appointed by the Technical Committee for Bunkering took about one and a half years, including going through various approval stages to reach a consensus on the requirements, procedures, and a balance of interests among stakeholders for SS 660.

“The development involved representatives and experts in the entire bunker supply chain,” he said.

“This includes terminals, bunker suppliers, bunker tanker operators, bunker surveyors, fuel testing labs, meter vendors, , and local authorities such as the ESG, National Metrology Centre (NMC), and MPA. We also included oil traders for the first time.”

TR 80:2020 – Meter Verification using Master Mass Flow Meter

Perhaps most widely anticipated by bunker suppliers, local bunker tanker owners/operators, and international shipping associations and companies is the introduction of Technical Reference (TR) 80 which governs meter verification using a master MFM to uphold and maintain integrity and trust in MFM bunkering.

Industry players regard the master meter as a “game changer” for the Singapore bunkering sector when officially introduced as it shortens the time and reduces resources required for bunker MFM verification.

Meter verification as prescribed in TR 80 involves the comparison of readings from two MFM units (i.e. duty MFM and master MFM).

“SS 648 and SS 660 spell out the requirements for qualification and performance of the respective duty meter on board the bunker tanker and the terminal for the custody transfer of marine fuel,” notes Seah.

“Meter verification independently checks the duty MFM installed either on the bunker tanker or at the oil terminal to verify the meter performance under stable flow conditions using actual bunker fuel. The meter verification process specified in TR 80 will be undertaken by an authorised party qualified by ESG.”

TR 80 states that a master MFM has to be three times better in terms of specification when compared to duty meters.

For example, a normal duty meter can be certified for commercial use with measurement uncertainty of 0.3% under oil and water calibration; whereas a master MFM has to achieve a measurement uncertainty of 0.1% under water and oil calibration.

Duty meters can continue to be deployed for bunkering operations if the tested unit has an accuracy error of not more than +/- 0.3% when compared to the reading of the master MFM after a meter verification exercise.

The +/- 0.3% error requirement is drawn upon from international guidelines such as OIML R117, and validated using results and findings obtained from a qualified master meter during local trials, informs Seah.

“The Working Group (WG) was appointed by the TC for Bunkering and comprised experts representing all relevant stakeholders, including bunker suppliers, bunker tanker owners/operators, bunker surveyors, fuel testing labs, meter vendors, , oil terminal, ESG, National Metrology Centre (NMC), and MPA,” he adds.

“The WG took about 12 months including going through various approval stages, to come out with TR 80. It is a world-first standard for bunkering and is practically developed from scratch.”

A Technical Reference is a ‘fast tracked’ document when compared to a Singapore Standard.

“TR 80 reflects the consensus reached by the WG based on a balance of interests,” Seah says.

“The typical life span of a Technical Reference is about three years, but we expect to upgrade TR 80 into a Singapore Standard well within this period.”

Seah thinks that these new standards will catalyse new developments, both locally and internationally.

“Locally, with SS 648 and SS660 covering custody transfer at the two key transaction interfaces of the local bunker supply chain, the stage is set for the TC for Bunkering to leverage on these standards and consider a new bunkering standard that applies blockchain technology,” he explained.

“Such a standard will help companies better track bunker quantity and quality as the bunker inventory is moved or transacted along the oil and bunker supply chain. Secured unique bunker data and documents enabled by blockchain technology is a way to promote trust as a basis for business among a wider group of stakeholders including financial institutions.

“Internationally, there is an opportunity for the development of new ISO MFM bunkering standards based on these new standards, much like how TR 48/SS 648 went on the ISO route. ISO 21562 has been published in July 2020 and ISO 22192 is expected to be published by end of the year; both developments of which are led or co-led by Singapore and are based on TR 48/SS 648.”

SIBCON 2020 will be the conference during which delegates will have an opportunity to listen to the speakers on their presentation on bunkering standards, and to address their questions at the Roundtable which follows.

A series of SIBCON 2020 related articles have been earlier written by Manifold Times:

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 7 October, 2020

Business

Shell MGO bunker heist: Bunker clerk pleads guilty to helping Sentek acquire misappropriated fuel

Wong Wai Meng, who received more than USD 286,000 from Sentek Marine & Trading for his assistance, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of intentionally helping the firm acquire the misappropriated marine gas.

Published

8 hours ago

December 2, 2024

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A bunker clerk, Wong Wai Meng, who received more than USD 286,000 (SGD 384,681) from Singapore-based Sentek Marine & Trading (Sentek) for his assistance, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of intentionally helping the company acquire misappropriated marine gas oil, The Straits Times reported on Friday (29 November).

The 58-year-old Singaporean was employed at the Sentek when he assisted in acquiring more than 28,000 metric tonnes (mt) of the misappropriated fuel worth USD 13.58 million (SGD 18.26 million).

Wong committed the offences over 46 occasions between August 2014 and December 2017.

Wong is among the three bunker clerks previously employed by Sentek, who were charged for offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (CDSA) and the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).

Another bunker clerk among the three charged, Wong Kuin Wah, 61, was sentenced to seven years and six months’ jail on 18 November for his role in misappropriating more than 27,000 tonnes of gas oil worth around USD 12.8 million (SGD 17.2 million).

The third individual who was charged, Boo Pu Wen, reportedly passed away in July 2023 and had his charges abated following his death, meaning Boo’s court proceedings over his 19 charges at the time came to an end.

Former Shell employees, who were key members of a group who dishonestly misappropriated fuel from Shell Pulau Bukom, were sentenced to jail in court earlier.

Earlier coverage of developments by Manifold Times regarding the Shell MGO bunker heist can be found below:

Photo credit: Katrin Bolovtsova
Published: 2 December, 2024

Biofuel

Singapore: GCMD introduces new technique for FAME bio bunker fuel fingerprinting

Fingerprinting identifies feedstock origins of FAME-based biofuels used in shipping industry; can be used as a potential tool to detect fraud in marine fuel supply chains and ensure biofuel authenticity.

Published

8 hours ago

December 2, 2024

Admin

Singapore: GCMD introduces new technique for FAME bio bunker fuel fingerprinting

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on Monday (2 December) released its latest report, presenting a new technique that creates a fingerprint for Fatty Acid Methyl Esters(FAME) bio bunker fuels.

This fingerprint identifies the feedstock origins of the FAME-based biofuels used in the shipping industry.

GCMD said FAME fingerprinting is needed as the shipping sector is increasingly using biofuels, such as FAME, to reduce its GHG emissions. With that, concerns have arisen regarding the legitimacy of biofuels and whether they are truly sustainable.

Industry bodies are seeing a rising number of cases mislabelling biofuels purported to be made from recycled oils and fats, while suspicions persist that they might be produced from cheaper and less sustainable virgin oils.

“To address these concerns, FAME fingerprinting can be used as a potential tool to detect fraud in marine fuel supply chains and ensure biofuel authenticity. By providing a physical validation method that complements existing certification schemes, FAME fingerprinting can help justify the green premium with genuine environmental benefits and safeguard the integrity of marine fuels supply chain,” GCMD said.

FAME fingerprinting is based on the principle that the fatty acid profile of FAME is unique to its feedstock and can be preserved during feedstock transesterification to produce FAME. The "fingerprint" can then be compared against a database of known fatty acid profiles to identify the feedstock origin.

GCMD worked with VPS who modified existing fuel testing methods to carry out sample analyses using a gas chromatograph with flame-ionisation detection, an instrument commonly found in fuel test laboratories.

The analysis takes about an hour, comparable to the turnaround time for current marine fuel quality testing in the supply chain.

“We have tested this method on a variety of FAME samples from different suppliers, including virgin oils, used cooking oils, palm oil mill effluent, beef tallow and food waste and were able to identify the feedstock origins for each sample,” GCMD added.

Manifold Times previously reported Captain Rahul Choudhuri, President, Strategic Partnerships at marine fuels testing company VPS, forecasting the use of finger printing technology today will likely establish a blueprint of how future alternative bunker fuels’ feedstocks are authenticated.

Captain Choudhuri said this when he gave an update of VPS’ biofuels finger printing trials with GCMD.

Note: The full report, titled ‘Rapid forensic analysis of FAME-based biofuels: Potential use of its fingerprint as a fraud detection tool’, can be downloaded here.

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 2 December, 2024

Methanol

PLAGEN to produce and supply green methanol bunker fuel with Latvia plant

Korean firm’s MoU with AE Risinājumi will see construction of Latvia’s first commercial-scale green methanol production plant, which will supply green methanol to ships in EU’s maritime fleet.

Published

8 hours ago

December 2, 2024

Admin

PLAGEN to produce and supply green methanol bunker fuel with Latvia plant

South Korean clean energy firm PLAGEN on Friday (29 November) signed an MOU with Latvian company, AE Risinājumi, for the production of green methanol in Latvia at the “2024 Latvia-Korea Business Forum” hosted by the President of Latvia.

The agreement will result in the construction of Latvia's first commercial-scale green methanol production plant, which will supply green methanol to ships in the EU's maritime fleet, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transportation.

PLAGEN's MoU aims to produce 20,000 metric tonnes (mt) of green methanol per year and will begin feasibility studies in the first half of 2025, and full-scale production will begin in 2028.

With 53% of Latvia's land area covered by forests, timber production and wood processing make a significant contribution to Latvia’s economic production, which generates a large amount of forest residues and wood wastes. In addition, Latvia also has an abundance and low price of renewable electricity from wind power.

Latvia is one of the most competitive countries in the European Union, as it can produce clean methanol at a competitive price by using abundant wood waste as a raw material and renewable electricity from cheap wind power.

The use of abundant forest residues and wood wastes as a feedstock and cheap renewable electricity from wind power makes it possible to produce green methanol with a competitive price, making Latvia is one of the most competitive countries in the EU.

In the European Union, the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) will come into effect in 2025, requiring shipping companies to purchase carbon credits for their greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, the EU is implementing FuelEU Maritime, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2% below the 2020 average by 2025 and 80% by 2050. This is expected to result in an energy transition to green methanol.

In July 2023, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a revised strategy that calls for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships to net-zero by or around 2050, and plans to introduce full-scale regulations from 2027, and shipping companies have begun ordering methanol-powered ships fueled by green methanol, a carbon-neutral fuel.

“We expect to start producing green methanol in Latvia in 2028, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from EU maritime transport vessels and contribute significantly to the revitalization of the Latvian economy and national energy security,” said John Kyung, CEO of PLAGEN.

In November 2024, PLAGEN completed the purchase of an industrial complex and received a government permit for the construction of the country's first green methanol plant in Dongjeom Industrial Complex in Taebaek City, Gangwon-do.

The project, which will produce 10,000 mt per year, is scheduled to begin construction in the first half of 2025 and begin production in the second half of 2027.

Photo credit: PLAGEN
Published: 2 December, 2024