Technology

Endress+Hauser factory tour series: Oil calibration of Singapore’s bunkering master meter

Stephan Natter, Principal Business Development Manager of Endress+Hauser Flow, explains to Manifold Times the importance of having an in-house oil calibration rig.

Published

8 months ago

August 26, 2024

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EHFL Reinach customer visit Metcore Manifold Times MEKR042 MT

Manifold Times gained exclusive access into the mass flowmeter (MFM) production factory of Reinach-based Endress+Hauser Flow in Switzerland during February. This will be the third in a series of five articles produced offering behind-the-scenes glimpses of the intricate process on what goes into perfecting MFMs.

The following are key takeaways from the tour to understand more about the MFM calibration process:

The cornerstone is a particularly important reference point, setting the foundation of historical buildings, and ultimately determines the position of the entire structure. In similar significance, situated in a corner of Endress+Hauser Flow’s Reinach factory lies a particularly important facility – the metrological test centre with its calibration rigs for flow measurement using water and oil.

This oil calibration rig is the only one of its kind owned by an independent MFM manufacturer, and its responsibilities include performing the yearly calibration of Singapore’s only bunkering master mass flowmeter (MMFM) which the world’s largest bunkering port depends on.

EHFL Reinach Manifold Times Stephan Natter Calibration MEKR 026 MT

Stephan Natter, Principal Business Development Manager of Endress+Hauser Flow, was on location to explain the rig’s raison d'etre.

“You might have to question why we built such an oil calibration facility whose measurement can be directly traced back to the national standard,” Natter shared.

“By far not all MFM manufacturers have an oil calibration rig. Because common sense is that a MFM which is calibrated on water can be also used in oil, keeping the uncertainty limits given by the different custody transfer standards.

“However, under OIML R117 and API MPMS 4.5 a master MFM has to be three times more accurate than duty meters, calibrated on products equal to the final product measured at site and possess expanded measuring uncertainty of up to 0.067% verified by an independent notified body such as NMI Certin B.V.

“Every Coriolis MFM shows a measuring effect based on Reynolds number (a mathematical formula derived from combining density flow rate and viscosity). The higher the viscosity the higher the effect is on the measuring signal and this needs to be compensated. Every MFM of Endress+Hauser has a Reynolds number compensation built into its electronics.

“With the oil calibration rig, we have the possibility to fine tune the Reynolds number compensation for specific meters because every meter is a little bit different due to production tolerances. With this rig we are able then to make for example, the Metcore master meter perfect.”

Coincidentally, the master meter of Metcore , a Singapore-based Authorised Verifier and accredited certification body for MFM bunkering systems, was at Endress+Hauser Flow’s Reinach factory to perform its yearly calibration in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025.

EHFL Reinach customer visit Metcore Manifold Times MEKR023 MT

Since 1 November 2020, the master meter has been used for verification of duty MFMs installed on Singapore bunker tankers due for yearly re-validation.

Singapore bunkering industry players have regarded the master meter as a ‘game changer’ as it shortens the time and reduces resources, making it the most practical and efficient method of validating the duty MFMs performance.

The master MFM verification service operates on the principles of TR 80:2020 – Meter Verification using Master Mass Flow Meter; the standard guidelines stated the master MFM has to be three times better in terms of performance when compared to duty meters.

Darrick Pang, Managing Director of Metcore International Pte Ltd, commented:

“Meter verification using master meter provides the alternative option for the MFM users other than the regular meter re-calibration as it is more efficient, less costly and time-consuming process to monitor the measurement performance of the duty MFM over its metrological requirements.”

“It is under that notion that the master meter must be calibrated under the acclaimed ISO/IEC 17025 environment to ensure a high level of performance accuracy of the master meter needed for meter verification.”

Photo credit: Endress+Hauser
Published: 26 August 2024

Related Topics:Features Technology - Mass flowmeter

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TFG Marine to launch of ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after Singapore success

Kenneth Dam announced the successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

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TFG Marine to launch ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after success in Singapore

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Tuesday (29 April) announced the company’s successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

A first for the Middle East region following the successful deployment of the same technology earlier this year by TFG Marine at the Port of Singapore. The eBDN trial in Oman was completed in collaboration with ZeroNorth and SGTraDex, using the Singapore standards as a benchmark.

Kenneth Dam, Global Head of Bunkering, said: "We’re excited to partner with ZeroNorth, Fratelli Cosulich Group Bunkers, SGTraDex and SOHAR Port and Freezone to shortly introduce e-BDNs to our customers here in Oman.”

“This technology, that we have already successfully introduced in Singapore is yet another step in modernising our industry. It will streamline the bunker delivery process, cut administrative burdens, enhance digital documentation and help build a smarter, more connected bunkering sector.”

“We remain committed to establishing e-BDNs as a global standard for bunker fuel delivery and will continue to work closely with port authorities to advocate for and deploy this technology across our operations.”

Dam made the announcement at the Oman Maritime, Ports and Energy Forum, during the panel discussion on The Transformative Power of Data: The Evolving Role of Digitalisation in Shipping and Bunkering.

Dam added the fully digital solution — accessible through TFG Marine’s mobile app and integrated with SGTraDex’s digital infrastructure, — will enable the inclusion of additional data, such as mass flow meter readings during fuel deliveries.

“By integrating this technology, we will drive significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and sustainability across our operations, complementing the global mass flow meter rollout across our fleet and reinforcing TFG Marine’s position at the forefront of the modern bunkering industry,” he said.

Manifold Times previously reported TFG Marine announcing the introduction of ZeroNorth’s e-BDNs for its customers in Singapore during 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON) by the end of 2024.

In November last year, TFG Marine announced its first digitalised marine fuel delivery in Singapore using electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDNs).

Its team supplied VLSFO bunker fuel to Pacific Basin Shipping Limited’s Illovo River bulk carrier, marking the first of four bunkering deliveries that month where this new technology was successfully deployed.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 30 April, 2025

Methanol

Ofiniti to roll out e-BDNs for Golden Island methanol bunkering operations in Singapore

Ofiniti will issue electronic Bunker Delivery Notes, based on the recently published Technical Reference 129 on Methanol Bunkering, across Golden Island’s newbuilds and part of its existing fleet.

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Ofiniti to roll out e-BDNs for Golden Island methanol bunkering operations in Singapore

Ofiniti, a provider of digital solutions for maritime bunker operations, on Tuesday (29 April) said Singapore bunker supplier Golden Island Pte Ltd will adopt Ofiniti platforms for its expanding fleet operations.

Ofiniti said the move will lay the foundation for a digital multi-fuel future with Golden Island’s four new chemical tankers on order and Singapore-flagged bunker tanker Golden Antares, which will soon enter service.

As part of the transition, Ofiniti will roll out electronic Bunker Delivery Notes (e-BDNs), based on the recently published Technical Reference (TR) 129 on Methanol Bunkering, across Golden Island’s newbuilds and part of its existing fleet.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), through the Singapore Standards Council (SSC), on 10 March published TR 129 to provide a comprehensive framework for the safe and efficient use of methanol as an alternative fuel for bunkering operations.

Kenny Yap Song Jin, Low Carbon Solutions, Golden Island, said: “Launching our methanol bunkering operations is a major milestone, not just for Golden Island, but for Singapore’s journey toward multi-fuel readiness.

“By combining innovative low-carbon fuels with digital transparency, we set a new benchmark for safe, efficient, and sustainable marine fuel delivery.”

Ofiniti said it has supported suppliers through every stage of the industry’s transition, from conventional fuels to LNG, biofuels, hydrogen, and now, supporting methanol.

Tue Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer, Ofiniti, said: “I’m proud to welcome Golden Island to Ofiniti’s platforms.

“Their move signals a strong trust in our ability to support next-generation operations, and it reflects a broader shift in the market towards digital solutions built specifically for the realities of maritime fuels today and tomorrow.

“We are customer-obsessed, always trying to build in resilience to the way we are doing business.”

Manifold Times previously reported Golden Island’s plans to start bunkering trials of green methanol with its newbuild Singapore-flagged 7,999 dwt IMO type 2 bunker tanker from July.

Golden Antares was scheduled to depart a Chinese shipyard by late April and will lift green methanol produced by Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) before returning to Singapore to begin bunkering trials.

In April, Ofiniti welcomed bunkering and marine fuel solutions provider Global Fuel Supply (GFS) to its FuelBoss platform as one of its newest customers.

GFS said it was proud to be the first physical supplier in West Africa to launch fully digitalised bunker operations with electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) via the FuelBoss platform.

Photo credit: Ofiniti
Published: 29 April, 2025

Digital platform

Shipergy launches new AI-powered platform linking bunker energy content and price

Energy Beacon leverages AI to analyse global fuel quality data, providing dynamic, port-by-port insights that help operators identify optimal suppliers based on both price and energy content.

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1 day ago

April 29, 2025

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Tech-led marine fuels trading company Shipergy on Monday (28 April) announced the launch of Energy Beacon, an AI-powered platform that enables buyers to look beyond price-per-tonne and make procurement decisions based on predicted energy content.

Energy Beacon is a customer-facing platform to directly connect fuel price with actual energy value, empowering buyers to negotiate with transparency.

By shifting the industry's focus from cost-per-tonne to cost-per-unit-of-energy, Shipergy enables shipping companies to maximise operational efficiency and drive meaningful progress toward both economic and environmental goals.

“When we founded Shipergy, we envisioned creating a company at the nexus of shipping and energy—hence our name. We recognised that shipping companies are fundamentally energy buyers, not just fuel purchasers,” said Daniel Rose, CEO of Shipergy.

“Energy Beacon is the realisation of that vision, bridging the critical gap between what shipping companies pay for and what they actually need: reliable, measurable energy to power their operations.”

Energy Beacon uses artificial intelligence to analyse global fuel quality data, providing dynamic, port-by-port insights that help operators identify optimal suppliers based on both price and energy content.

The platform reveals energy content can vary significantly between suppliers in the same port—differences that have significant impact on vessel performance and operational costs but remain invisible in traditional procurement processes.

Energy Beacon will ultimately helping shipping companies to: