Classification society DNV’s digital bunkering delivery platform FuelBoss has recently expanded operations to include conventional bunker fuels, learned Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.
To date, the independent platform has started facilitating conventional marine fuel deliveries in Europe and is in the process of being whitelisted by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
The Port of Singapore, under the purview of MPA, is planning to make digital bunkering a mandatory requirement by end of 2024 through the introduction of e-BDNs within marine fuel transactions.
The development to introduce e-BDN equivalent systems to boost efficiency and transparency for Singapore’s bunkering sector will likely result in savings of USD 1 for every metric tonne of bunker fuel, or about USD 50 million when considering the annual bunker volume at the republic, believes Martin Wold, Head of FuelBoss at DNV.
“FuelBoss acts as an independent, one-stop shop for digital delivery. With FuelBoss and DNV, our customers can be sure they get a future proof solution and trusted partner in terms of handling all types of marine fuels and managing the energy transition by a truly independent service provider,” said Wold.
“We know by experience that new fuels bring additional operational and commercial complexity along with new requirements along the supply chain. Flexibility and scalability are key in solving these requirements, which is built into the very core of our platform.
“Many people ask what the value and return on investment is for digitalisation, and we at FuelBoss tell them it is immediate.
“The value of digitalisation far exceeds the fees of being charged on the systems and in FuelBoss’ case we already have multiple studies proving bunker suppliers can save roughly USD 1 pmt (per metric tonne) for every delivery.
“This is mainly due to increased utilisation of bunker tankers from time saved through the elimination of manual data entry, reduced cost of capital from timely and verifiable documentation, and more time-efficient back-office processing.”

Overcoming digital pain points
The introduction of e-BDN will result in the bunkering industry adopting to new ways of working. Disruption, however, could be kept to a minimum with the right solution, according to Wold.
“Introducing new ways of working is always challenging. Hence, what is so important when driving digitalisation is having the user in mind to make life onboard bunker vessels easier,” he explains, highlighting the user-friendliness and intuitiveness of FuelBoss.
Wold notes user feedback has shown the solution requires minimal training – just a 30-minute introduction before actual implementation (for bunker crew and receiving vessel).
“This is why we put a lot of effort into having FuelBoss mirror the behaviour of using apps on a phone to complete everyday tasks [i.e. ordering food, transportation] so as to build a smooth user experience.”
Data integration – A common void of bunker suppliers
Experience from speaking with several bunker suppliers, meanwhile, has taught Wold of a common void typically found in bunker suppliers. This is where the importance of engaging a solution with good data integration for enterprise resource planning (ERP) suites come into play.
“From what we have seen almost every supplier has a gap in their IT system set-ups,” he shares.
“On the front end, they have good systems for quotations, enquiries, order confirmations and so on. They also have good systems in the back end for handling invoicing, finance, and risk management.
“However, there is always a gap in the middle for the bunker delivery phase. Lacking digital systems, suppliers use tools like spreadsheets, PDFs and pen and paper; this is the gap FuelBoss fills – to link the front and back ends of a bunker transaction together.”

FuelBoss and Veracity link up
Speaking of integration, Wold points out that eBDNs, and their corresponding emissions values, can be further linked between FuelBoss and DNV’s Veracity – an independent industry platform tracking operational vessel data (OVD) of over 35,000 vessels – to enhance overall value proposition for bunker suppliers to clients.
“The marine fuel delivered by suppliers can be supplemented with data points on carbon intensity and emission certificates,” he states.
“These data points will be important for emissions reporting, and it makes sense to integrate them into Veracity to enable the full automation that we see many shipowners are looking for.
“Bunker suppliers using FuelBoss can actually help enable that for their customers.”
Security and trust – Core values of DNV
Moving forward, Wold notes that standardisation and cyber security are important values for achieving robust digital ecosystems.
“Security is a top priority of DNV. We are one of the largest providers of cyber security services within Europe and we are leveraging inhouse expertise for FuelBoss,” he says.
“Most importantly, DNV is an independent classification society trusted for 160 years. Our core value resonates well with the direction the bunker industry is now taking, where digitalisation is one of first steps towards increased transparency and accountability.”
To date, FuelBoss has completed more than 2,500 liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker deliveries across Europe, US and Asia, and has recently expanded operations to include conventional fuels.
DNV has since partnered with a local player in Singapore to adapt and roll out FuelBoss on board their bunker vessel. Bunkering trials using the digital tool are expected to take place soon.
“The expansion of FuelBoss to cover all marine fuels comes at a timely juncture ahead of MPA’s mandate for e-BDNs by the end of 2024,” explains Wold.
“With a proven track record for FuelBoss in other regions, we are both eager and humble to work with and learn from the stakeholders in Singapore, to reap the benefits of digitalisation and support the transition towards a multi-fuel future.
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Photo credit: DNV
Published: 22 February 2024