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IBIA on digital revolution: Days of physical bunker delivery notes are numbered

IMO formally confirmed the use of Bunker Delivery Notes in electronic format as an acceptable alternative to the conventional hard copy, if they conform to the regulations of MARPOL Annex VI.

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The International Bunker Industry Association on Tuesday (28 May) shared on the maritime industry shifting towards digitalisation including electronic bunker delivery notes: 

On 1 January global shipping passed a milestone in the acceleration of digitalisation in the sector that may have gone unnoticed by many. Under the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL), governments are now required to use a single digital platform, the Maritime Single Window, to share and exchange information with ships when they call at ports, effective 1 January 2024.

The intention is to streamline procedures to clear the arrival, stay and departure of ships and greatly enhance the efficiency of shipping worldwide. More than 4.6 million port calls were recorded globally in 2022.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said: “Digitalisation is critical for greater efficiency in shipping. The Maritime Single Window delivers information between ships, ports and government agencies quickly, reliably and smoothly.”

Meanwhile, in development directly affecting the bunker sector, the IMO has formally confirmed the use of Bunker Delivery Notes (BDN) in electronic format as an acceptable alternative to the conventional hard copy, if they conform to the regulations of MARPOL Annex VI.

This follows the 80th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee last July, which agreed an additional unified interpretation to regulations 18.5 and 18.6 of MARPOL Annex VI concerning BDN. It is now included in the updated consolidation circular MEPC.1/Circ.795/Rev.8.

The minimum information to be contained in the BDN remains the same in hard copy or electronic format and is specified in Appendix V of MARPOL Annex VI. An electronic BDN should be protected against any edits/modifications/revisions and a verification method used to make authentication possible. As with a paper BDN, an electronic format must be retained onboard for a period of not less than three years from the date of delivery and made readily available for inspection as required.

IMO notes in a statement: “Certain ports are looking to implement electronic BDN as part of a wider move towards digitalisation, including documentation related to bunkering operations. Ship officers should be aware of these changes such as the method to digitally transfer an electronic BDN from the bunker barge to the receiving ship and the subsequent means to securely retain that electronic record onboard for not less than the required time period.”

In a sign of the way things are going, Singapore’s Maritime & Port Authority has approved several suppliers to trial the use of electronic bunker delivery notes (eBDN).

Vitol Bunkers says, with its logistics arm V-bunkers, it is collaborating with technology company ZeroNorth to enhance the efficiency of the bunkering process in Singapore through digitalisation. V-Bunkers delivered over 7 million tonnes of bunker fuels in 2023 for its customers, which was also a record year for Singapore. Its barges delivered around 190,000 tonnes of biofuels, which is nearly 36% of total biofuels volume delivered in Singapore last year.

Rishab Bahl, Managing Director at V-Bunkers, said: “We have chosen ZeroNorth as our partner to help digitalise our delivery process with their eBDN solution. Their deep domain knowledge, a secure and strong solution, and commitment to continuous investments towards digitalisation align well with our objectives for a global roll-out.”

Kenneth Juhls, Managing Director for ZeroNorth Bunker added: “Digitalising the bunker industry is a game-changer that accelerates the green transition. Our partnership with Vitol Bunkers marks significant strides towards innovative and sustainable industry practices, and we’re excited to see how Singapore’s leadership influences this globally.”

Back in November last year ZeroNorth said it had enabled its customer Golden Island Diesel Oil Trading Pte Ltd (Golden Island) to become the first marine fuel supplier in Singapore to go 100% digital in its use of Electronic Bunker Delivery Notes (eBDN).

Commenting on the news, Tomohiro Yamano, General Manager, Marine Fuel Department at Golden Island said: “A month after the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) launched its digital bunkering initiative as the first port in the world to implement eBDN, we are proud to be the first company to fully switch to eBDN in the Singapore bunkering market. To achieve this, we required a solution that would facilitate a seamless workflow to enhance the productivity and efficiency of our marine fuel delivery operations.

Kenneth Juhls, Managing Director for ZeroNorth Bunker at ZeroNorth, added: “Bunker procurement has been a traditionally cumbersome process, burdened by manual documentation. We’re delighted to be helping Golden Island eliminate these manual processes to streamline documentation, drive efficiencies and boost productivity across its operations as a global eBDN solution on the market.

In a separate development in the move towards shipping industry digitalisation, major container line Pacific International Lines (PIL) says it has completed full integration with the Singapore Trade Data Exchange (SGTraDex) platform, making it the first shipping line to do so. PIL says in a statement: “This achievement, realised through a collaborative effort with KPI OceanConnect, signifies a transformative step towards global digitisation in PIL’s maritime operations.”

According to PIL, the integration, initiated early last year and concluded in December, has enabled it to leverage SGTraDex to improve the way transactions are conducted with its stakeholders, including suppliers and financial institutions. This is another key step forward in improving efficiency and transparency in maritime operations.

As part of the integration, PIL successfully executed an overseas bunkering transaction with KPI OceanConnect, demonstrating the feasibility of using SGTraDex for transactions beyond Singapore. PIL says the transaction highlighted the data highway’s potential to streamline complex processes and facilitate smoother collaborations between shipping lines and their beneficiary chain of organisations.

Since the successful overseas bunkering transaction, PIL has completed more than 40 transactions through SGTraDex. The adaptability of SGTraDex is evident in its ability to handle a diverse range of transactions, showcasing its relevance across the maritime sector.

Prior to this integration, PIL had to export and email documents to suppliers, who then manually uploaded key information onto the e-invoicing portal.

Related: IMO: Maritime Single Windows becomes mandatory for all ports from 1 January 2024
Related: MPA: Maritime Single Windows mandated for all ports from 1 January 2024
Related: Singapore: Golden Island switching to 100% e-BDN operations from 1 December
Related: ZeroNorth enables Golden Island to become Singapore’s first 100% digital bunker supplier
Related: Vitol chooses ZeroNorth e-BDN solution in Singapore
Related: Singapore: PIL becomes first shipping line to complete full integration with SGTraDex
Related: Singapore: MPA publishes guidelines for bunker suppliers in preparation of e-BDN launch
Related: Singapore set to become first port in the world to debut electronic bunker delivery notes
Related: MPA Chief Executive: Port of Singapore begins digital bunkering initiative today
Related: IBIA: International Maritime Organization confirms acceptance for electronic BDNs (update)
Related: IBIA: MEPC 80 confirms acceptance for electronic bunker delivery notes
Related: IBIA: IMO sub-committee accepts use of electronic BDNs after long discussion

 

Photo credit: International Bunker Industry Association
Published: 29 May 2024

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Emissions reporting

StormGeo and OceanScore link emissions data, compliance workflows

Cooperation combines StormGeo’s expertise in operational vessel and emissions data with OceanScore’s expertise in emissions compliance workflows across EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and UK ETS requirements.

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StormGeo and OceanScore link emissions data, compliance workflows

Weather intelligence and decision support solutions provider StormGeo and Hamburg-based technology platform OceanScore on Wednesday (3 June) said they have deepened their ongoing cooperation through the signing of a collaboration agreement during Posidonia 2026 in Athens on 2 June.

The cooperation combines StormGeo’s expertise in operational vessel and emissions data with OceanScore’s expertise in emissions compliance workflows across EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and upcoming UK ETS requirements.

Together, the companies aim to help shipping companies seamlessly navigate increasing regulatory complexity more efficiently — from emissions reporting and data validation to compliance exposure management, pooling and financial settlement.

As emissions regulation becomes an increasingly important part of commercial shipping operations, the need for reliable operational data and streamlined compliance processes continues to grow. The cooperation between StormGeo and OceanScore is designed to support shipping companies with more connected, transparent and actionable processes across operational and commercial teams.

“From the outside, companies like StormGeo and OceanScore may sometimes be perceived as competitors because both operate around emissions and compliance workflows,” said Albrecht Grell, Managing Director at OceanScore. 

“But in reality, the industry increasingly needs both perspectives working together: trusted operational emissions data on one side and commercial compliance execution on the other. Our cooperation reflects that shipping companies are no longer looking for isolated solutions — they need connected processes, automated across different systems and reliable decision-making throughout the full compliance chain.”

By connecting validated operational emissions data with commercial compliance management, the cooperation supports workflows across:

  • emissions reporting and validation 
  • compliance management across EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and upcoming UK ETS requirements
  • exposure visibility and cost transparency
  • pooling, settlement and financial processes 

The cooperation also aims to improve commercial transparency and coordination across operational and commercial stakeholders.

“StormGeo plays a central role in helping shipping companies turn operational vessel and emissions data into trusted, decision-ready insights,” said Espen Martinsen, Chief Commercial Officer at StormGeo. 

“As emissions regulations become more complex, this data is essential for transparent and efficient compliance management. By working with OceanScore, we can help customers connect StormGeo’s validated operational data with commercial compliance processes, creating a more integrated and practical approach to emissions management.”

The signing ceremony took place at the StormGeo booth during Posidonia 2026 in Athens and was attended by representatives from both companies.

Both companies expect the cooperation to continue evolving alongside upcoming regulatory developments, including FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS, the upcoming UK ETS and future emissions-related frameworks affecting global shipping.

 

Photo credit: StormGeo
Published: 4 June, 2026

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Technology

StormGeo integrates Alfa Laval sensor data with Voyage Intelligence platform

Enhancing voyage efficiency is seen as the primary use case for sensor data in the short term, with the initial focus mainly on marine fuel consumption, according to StormGeo’s VP Shipping Petter Andersen.

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StormGeo launches new premium advisory offering with emission compliance reporting

Weather intelligence and decision support solutions provider StormGeo on Monday (1 June) said the company is expanding its Voyage Intelligence platform by integrating sensor data from shipboard energy consumers to deliver real-time insights for enhanced technical performance under a partnership with its parent Alfa Laval.

The joint project marked a significant advance in digitalisation of shipboard equipment through automated collection of engine and hull data and integration into a wider digital ecosystem to give a clearer overview and better understanding of vessel performance.

StormGeo and Alfa Laval are combining their resources to provide hardware installation, data collection and analysis, performance advice and client support as part of a unique, all-inclusive delivery from a single company.  

StormGeo’s VP Shipping Petter Andersen, said: “The goal is to provide a comprehensive, integrated solution for shipping companies to simplify data collection and harvest more value by using actionable insights from sensor data to enable faster and better-informed voyage decision-making.”

Enhanced data-driven insight into vessel performance represents an enabler for operational efficiencies and fuel savings to boost sustainability through more effective decisions, with AI-driven analytics seen as a tool to support rather than replace human judgment to maintain the focus on safety as top priority.

“Ship operators need actionable insights, not just data. Continuous real-time monitoring helps transform sensor and performance data into smarter operational decisions,” Andersen said.

Alfa Laval, a supplier of ship equipment and specialist in real-time monitoring, is taking advantage of recent advances in onboard connectivity to apply its expertise in sensor data collection to shipping through the tie-up with StormGeo, a global provider of weather intelligence and smart digital solutions for voyage optimization.

Enhancing voyage efficiency is seen as the primary use case for sensor data in the short term, with the initial focus mainly on fuel consumption, according to Andersen.

Real-time data increases visibility of hull and main/auxiliary engine performance to inform proactive efficiency measures such as hull cleaning or engine tuning, while also providing a basis for long-term analysis and benchmarking at both individual ship and fleet level.

“The innovative element of this integration is that we are assimilating equipment sensor data with an array of datasets covering weather, route optimization, voyage planning and navigation, emissions reporting, and bunker planning and procurement accessible via a unified user interface. This gives a more holistic overview for operational decisions,” according to Andersen.

StormGeo is the sole contracting party for the integrated solution, while accessing resources and technology from Alfa Laval’s global network. The company now sees the opportunity for future application of sensor data to a wide range of operational, safety, commercial and environmental use cases in maritime, in partnership with third-party data providers.

In particular, Andersen highlighted the potential for automation of noon reporting based on streaming of fuel consumption data to replace time-consuming manual processes – such as email and fax – for meeting SOLAS and other reporting requirements. A further possible application is condition-based monitoring of equipment for proactive maintenance.

This is part of Alfa Laval’s broader strategy to expand sensor data collection across multiple ship systems to realize an Internet of Things (IoT) onboard as part of its cloud-based ALIoT platform, in line with the trend towards increased connectivity in shipping and smarter vessel operations.

Alfa Laval’s Head of Vessel Operations, Jesper Boman, said: “There’s a lot of potential to further digitalize, giving operators real-time insights that help them make better decisions, reduce risk, improve reliability, and avoid unnecessary costs.

“At the same time, implementing and using digital tools needs to be done with robust cybersecurity measures in place. Aligned with the international standards, to keep our maritime assets safe.”

 

Photo credit: StormGeo
Published: 2 June, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

StormGeo: Smarter voyage decisions can boost payback amid market swings

‘In an environment of fuel price fluctuations, freight market swings, operational disruption and rising emissions costs, voyage planning can no longer remain static,’ says StormGeo’s Rolf Reksten.

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StormGeo: Voyage optimisation falls short without real-time commercial clarity

Higher bunker prices. Trade route disruption. Soaring freight rates. 

The impact of the Middle East war on global shipping has again demonstrated how geopolitical shocks can drastically affect operational planning – and why navigating market volatility is essential to optimize the commercial efficiency of voyages, according to StormGeo on Thursday (28 May). 

“Operators have to expect the unexpected and be agile in their thinking,” said StormGeo’s Commercial Lead Routing Rolf Reksten.

“In an environment of fuel price fluctuations, freight market swings, operational disruption and rising emissions costs, voyage planning can no longer remain static.

“Operational decisions – from routing and speed to arrival timing – must increasingly respond to constantly changing economic conditions, in the same way that shipping must adapt to more extreme weather patterns caused by climate change,” he explained.

Accelerating cyclicality

Shipping markets have always experienced cycles, but these are becoming more frequent and volatile, driven by geopolitical effects, macroeconomic factors, energy market shifts, supply and demand, evolving regulation and critical stockpiles in key countries.

Optimization is no longer solely determined by speed and fuel efficiency, but by diverse factors that are reshaping voyage economics – and this makes operational decision-making more complex than ever.

“Rather than sailing smoothly from the Persian Gulf to India or China with crude, you may have to pick up the cargo from West Africa, Brazil or the US Gulf. Voyages are longer, the need for optimization is greater, and you have to relate execution much more to market volatility than before,” Reksten said.

The commercial outcome of a voyage is affected by the interplay of different economic variables – from fuel price volatility, rapidly moving freight markets and regulatory shifts that impact carbon costs to delays and trade disruption caused by port congestion, weather or regional conflict that can result in both direct costs and missed opportunities.

Fuel price effect

Given fuel is the largest cost variable of a voyage, bunker price hikes can significantly affect profitability without consideration of the wider commercial picture, and this requires a dynamic approach to decision-making to capture value across the voyage cycle.

Operators may lose value or increase risk if decisions are made without updated economic insight based on changing market conditions.

A case in point is the recent Strait of Hormuz crisis that fuelled higher tanker rates and a spike in bunker prices, which is estimated by lobby group Transport & Environment to have cost shipping companies an additional €340 million a day in fossil fuel bills.

Among the challenges for shipping companies are planning voyages without considering fuel price shifts, making speed decisions that do not account for port congestion or schedule changes, and having limited visibility into emissions cost exposure.

And this demands constant economic awareness with real-time data insights of the different variables to facilitate a shift from static to adaptive voyage planning to avoid leaving value on the table, according to Reksten.

‘Keeping an eye on markets’

“If you don’t have an eye on the markets and you’re purely focused on the route, this can undermine the commercial outcome of the voyage. You may need to reassess during the voyage whether to adjust speed, ETA or bunker strategy to execute in the most optimal way in relation to your commercial goals,” he said.

The need for a more dynamic approach to voyage planning is driving industry adoption of AI-driven voyage intelligence – integrating real-time data for ocean and weather conditions, vessel performance, market insights and emissions monitoring – to deliver predictive analytics supported by human expertise to inform adaptive decision-making, according to Reksten.

This enables operators to evaluate multiple scenarios and adapt according to changing conditions to safeguard voyage margins even in volatile markets, such as by capturing opportunities in a rising freight market.

“How you execute the current voyage can be tied to what your next employment will be. If the market is rising steeply, you want to sail as quickly as possible to discharge and offer your ship into the market at a higher price point,” Reksten explained.

Single source of truth

By combining operational, economic and sustainability data, voyage intelligence fully integrates commercial awareness into the planning process. Furthermore, it provides a single source of truth with visibility across company departments to allow better coordination between different teams, avoiding possible blind spots in decision-making.

“A typical voyage entails interaction between a lot of different moving parts – and this requires alignment of KPIs across commercial and operations teams that can be difficult in a fast-paced environment,” Reksten said.

Voyage intelligence allows decision-making to be informed by both operational expertise and evolving economic realities – such as metocean conditions, fuel prices, charter party requirements, freight market conditions, emissions and compliance obligations – to enable adaptive voyage management aligned with a shifting environment.

Managing uncertainty

This means shipping companies can manage uncertainty more effectively to provide better costs control in fluctuating fuel markets, freight market visibility, reduced risk of delays, improved schedule reliability, lower emissions and compliance risk – and stronger commercial margins.

“Profitability is the ultimate driver of decisions in shipping – and this is strongly impacted by market volatility. But companies able to quickly respond to changing conditions can turn volatility into competitive advantage,” Reksten concluded.

 

Photo credit: StormGeo
Published: 29 May, 2026

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