Connect with us

Business

IBIA welcomes mandatory bunker measuring systems in major ARA ports and calls for more ports to follow suit

IBIA Bunker Licensing & MFM Working Group will continue to push for adoption of bunker licensing and uptake of MFM in other areas, especially major bunkering hubs.
Admin

Published

4 years ago

on

IBIA

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Friday (6 January) released an announcement that it welcomed news on the move for mandatory bunker measuring system (BMS) to be used for bunker supply vessels operating in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Zeebrugge and encourage other ports to follow suit:

Port authorities have taken an important step toward improving transparency and reliability in the ARA bunker market by agreeing to mandate the use of a bunker measuring system (BMS) for bunker supply vessels operating in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Zeebrugge.

The decision follows an independent study, through interviews and surveys, undertaken by CE Delft for all three ports. The CE Delft study outcome is similar to the findings of an extensive survey undertaken by IBIA and BIMCO in the first half of 2022, which found strong industry support for bunker supplier licensing and more use of mass flow meters (MFMs). These are seen as key tools for improving market conditions and reducing disputes between bunker suppliers and buyers. The survey was created by the IBIA Bunker Licensing & MFM Working Group, which representatives from both port authorities have taken part in.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority, which commissioned the CE Delft study, said the study showed “regular quantity issues”. They said that 65% of stakeholders interviewed and over 90% of survey respondents saw the introduction of the mandatory use of an official bunker measuring system on board bunker vessels as a solution to quantity problems.

IBIA supported the additional research effort by the port authorities by sharing information, and a link to the survey conducted by CE Delft, with our members.

“The ports have taken onboard complaints from various parties about regular bunker quantity irregularities. The result of the study into to the extent and nature of these complaints has given them impetus to act. IBIA applauds their decision and calls for other relevant authorities to follow suit,” says Unni Einemo, Director of IBIA.

During the first half of 2023, the port authorities will evaluate and identify suitable bunker measuring systems for the new requirement. They will also determine an “ambitious yet realistic deadline” for when it will become mandatory to use an approved BMS during bunkering operations in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Zeebrugge to give companies time to adapt to the new measure. The requirement will be included in the licence for bunker fuel suppliers.

According to the press release announcing their decision, 40 out of 170 bunker vessels currently operating in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Zeebrugge are equipped with a BMS. Some of these are mass flow meters (MFMs) of the type that are mandatory for bunker deliveries in Singapore. Others are volumetric flow meters.

IBIA has learnt that the BMS systems will need to be certified and comply with OIML regulations to be approved under the new requirement. OIML, the International Organization of Legal Metrology, enables standardisation when developing technical regulations.

Einemo concluded: “The introduction of certified and standardised bunker measuring systems as a requirement for bunker supply operations in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Zeebrugge should help to significantly reduce quantity issues and boost confidence in these ports’ bunkering services, which are already among the most efficient in the world. This should further improve efficiency and create a more level playing field for bunker companies in these ports.”

The IBIA Bunker Licensing & MFM Working Group will continue to push for adoption of bunker licensing and uptake of MFM in other areas, in particular major bunkering hubs where such measures will have the most impact.

Related: Bunker fuel measuring system to be made mandatory in Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Rotterdam
Related: Rotterdam keen to improve its bunkering sector, is hot on the heels of Singapore’s MFM mandatory adoption
Related: IBIA welcomes news of Rotterdam’s plans to mandate MFMs

 

Photo credit: IBIA
Published: 9 January, 2023

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Alternative Fuels

Singapore-based Golden Island, Qingdao Port team up on alternative bunker fuels

Agreement covers green methanol, green ammonia and bio-LNG, with cooperation spanning fuel production and transportation through to storage, sales and bunkering.
Admin

Published

17 hours ago

on

September 22, 2026

By

Golden Island, Qingdao Port team up on green methanol, ammonia and bio-LNG

Singapore bunker supplier Golden Island Pte Ltd on Monday (21 September) said it has signed a strategic framework agreement with Qingdao Port International Co Ltd to collaborate on the supply of alternative marine fuels.

The agreement covers green methanol, green ammonia and bio-LNG, with cooperation spanning fuel production and transportation through to storage, sales and bunkering.

“By combining our MPA-licensed bunkering capabilities with Qingdao Port’s incredible logistics and strategic hub position, we are building something truly robust for the global shipping industry’s low-carbon future,” the company said in a statement. 

Qingdao Port International, which operates five major port areas in China, will bring its logistics network, storage facilities and customs clearance capabilities to the partnership.

Golden Island is licensed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to conduct methanol bunkering and is ISCC EU-certified.

The companies are also engaging with container liners, bulk carriers, oil tankers and cruise ships regarding the adoption of alternative marine fuels.

 

Photo credit: Golden Island Pte Ltd
Published: 22 September, 2026

Continue Reading

Ammonia

HD HHI and HD KSOE secure ABS AiP for ammonia bunkering vessel design

ABS awarded approval in principle for the basic design of a 22,000 CBM bunkering vessel capable of supplying ammonia as marine fuel.
Admin

Published

18 hours ago

on

September 22, 2026

By

HD HHI and HD KSOE secure ABS AiP for ammonia bunkering vessel

Classification society ABS on Monday (21 September) said it has awarded HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) approval in principle (AIP) for the basic design of a 22,000 CBM bunkering vessel capable of supplying ammonia as marine fuel.

The approval is the result of a joint development project initiated earlier this year. ABS reviewed the design’s general arrangement, machinery arrangement, ammonia cargo handling system and fuel supply system against applicable class and international requirements.

Gareth Burton, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Engineering, said: “Bunkering infrastructure is a critical step for any marine fuel to scale, and it has to be implemented with safety designed in from the start.

“This AIP reflects the industry’s need for fuel flexibility while advancing the safe bunkering of ammonia. ABS is proud to support HD HHI and HD KSOE as they develop technologies that expand fuel flexibility.”

Ryu Hong-Ryeul, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of HD HHI, said: “As ammonia rapidly emerges as a viable low-carbon alternative fuel, demand for ammonia bunkering vessels is expected to grow in line with the increasing adoption of ammonia-fuelled ships. 

“This AIP marks a significant milestone toward the commercialisation of ammonia bunkering vessels.”

ABS and the HD Hyundai group have worked together across a range of technologies supporting ammonia as a marine fuel. Recent projects have included AIP for HD KSOE’s ammonia cargo handling and bunkering system and initial review for HD HHI’s machinery arrangement in engine room.

 

Photo credit: ABS
Published: 22 September, 2026

Continue Reading

Alternative Fuels

J-ENG completes land-based testing of hydrogen-fuelled marine engine

Engine will be installed on a 17,500 DWT multipurpose vessel to be built by Onomichi Dockyard for MOL and MOL Drybulk, with onboard demonstration testing scheduled to begin in April 2028.

Admin

Published

18 hours ago

on

September 22, 2026

By

12 2

Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) on Friday (18 September) said it has completed land-based testing of the world’s first hydrogen-fuelled engine for large commercial vessels, the 6UEC35LSGH.

During factory testing, the engine achieved a hydrogen co-firing rate of at least 95%, reducing GHG emissions by more than 95% compared with conventional heavy-fuel-oil engines.

By adopting a high-pressure direct injection system, which injects fuel directly into the cylinder at high pressure, J-ENG said the engine achieves stable hydrogen combustion. 

Safety measures were also implemented, including a robust structure to prevent hydrogen leakage and double-walled piping for hydrogen supply lines. 

“Approval testing was conducted in the presence of ClassNK and was completed successfully,” the company said. 

The engine will be installed on a 17,500 DWT multipurpose vessel to be built by Onomichi Dockyard for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and MOL Drybulk.

Hydrogen fuel will be supplied to the engine through a marine hydrogen fuel system, consisting of marine hydrogen fuel tanks and a fuel supply system, developed and manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

In addition, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) will conduct safety assessments throughout each stage of the engine’s development and the vessel’s design, construction and operation.

The vessel will then undergo sea trials before onboard demonstration testing begins in April 2028. 

Kawasaki will also develop and manufacture bunkering equipment for supplying liquefied hydrogen to vessels. 

“The demonstration will further evaluate the engine’s durability and performance under actual operating conditions,” J-ENG added.

 

Photo credit: J-ENG
Published: 22 September, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending