The following article published by Manifold Times on 7 March was sourced from China’s domestic market through a local correspondent. An online translation service was used in the production of the current editorial piece:
Digitalisation of Zhoushan’s port customs clearance and logistics systems has improved bunkering operations, according to Zhejiang Daily.
The port, which started as a non-oil producing facility, is today the the sixth largest marine refuelling port in the world and the largest in the country.
Zhoushan port recorded a bonded bunkering volume of 5.52 million metric tonnes (mt), representing a year-on-year increase of 16.9%, in 2021.
In recent years, the Zhoushan Port Comprehensive Bonded Zone Management Committee has simplified maritime supply chain operations for bunkering through the introduction of digitalisation technologies.
An online “one-stop acceptance” module introduced by Zhoushan port reduced the submission of 24 paper documents and shortened the application process at the port by 6.5 hours; it also allowed customs clearance processes to be shortened from four hours to five minutes.
The development resulted in a total 20-hour reduction for each bunkering operation of large international sea-going vessels.
Further, the launch of version 2.0 of the Zhoushan Bonded Marine Fuel Oil Dispatching Service System has allowed the fuel supply situation of major anchorages in Zhoushan Port to be updated in real time – increasing anchorage utilisation by 30%.
“In the past, on-site anchorage usage information could only be obtained by phone, and there was often a large gap between the ship’s arrival time and the refuelling time,” shared a local shipping agency source.
“Now, the system intelligently analyses the ship’s speed while providing live updates of anchorage traffic, meteorological wind, and other data to generate the most efficient scheduling plan.”
He also noted Zhoushan port to have implemented an internationally recognised system that is able to remotely monitor bunkering operation to avoid metering disputes.
Related: China: Zhoushan bonded bunkering volume up 10% on year to 460,000 mt in January
Related: Emergence of China’s marine fuels industry challenges Singapore’s dominant position
Related: China: Enterprises optimistic of bonded bunkering market expansion, but highlight challenges ahead
Related: China: Zhejiang Oil Center launches price information service for the storage of oil products
Related: Sinopec Fuel Oil Company and Zhoushan Traffic Investment Group to start new Zhoushan firm
Related: China: Zhoushan maritime and bunkering sector undergoes expansion in 2021
Related: China: Pilot digital trial reduces documentation time for Zhoushan bunkering ops
Related: Zhoushan Bonded Marine Fuel Industry teams inspired by China’s Sixth Plenary Session
Related: Zhoushan bunkering conference discusses marine fuel sector trends
Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 7 March, 2022
Program introduces periodic assessments, mass flow metering data analysis, and regular training for relevant key personnel to better handle the MFMS to ensure a high level of continuous operational competency.
U.S. Claims Register Summary recorded a total USD 833 million claim from a total 180 creditors against O.W. Bunker USA, according to the creditor list seen by Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.
Glencore purchased fuel through Straits Pinnacle which contracted supply from Unicious Energy. Contaminated HSFO was loaded at Khor Fakkan port and shipped to a FSU in Tanjong Pelepas, Malaysia to be further blended.
Individuals were employees of surveying companies engaged by Shell to inspect the volume of oil loaded onto the vessels which Shell supplied oil to; they allegedly accepted bribes totalling at least USD 213,000.
MPA preliminary investigations revealed that the affected marine fuel was supplied by Glencore Singapore Pte Ltd who later sold part of the same cargo to PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
‘MPA had immediately contacted the relevant bunker suppliers to take necessary steps to ensure that the relevant batch of fuel was no longer supplied. Further investigations are currently on-going,’ it informs.