IPEC 2025: Zhoushan moves digital bunkering initiative to full-scale implementation
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by Admin
Editor’s Note: The following article has been updated with a timeline.
Zhoushan on Wednesday (22 October) launched its plan to promote full digitalisation of its bonded bunkering operations at the 8th International Petroleum and Natural Gas Enterprises Conference (IPEC 2025) in China.
The launch was witnessed by leaders from the Zhoushan High-Tech Zone, the Municipal Supervision Bureau, the Ports and Shipping Bureau, the Customs Bureau, the Maritime Affairs Bureau, and other government departments, as well as the China Petroleum Circulation Association and the Zhoushan Marine Fuel Association.
This marked a new journey for Zhoushan in moving its digital bunkering initiative from pilot projects to full-scale implementation in digital bunkering.
The plan will be implemented in phases. In 2025, a pilot programme was launched for electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDN) for bonded bunkering.
The Zhejiang local standard, “Coriolis Mass Flow Meter-Based Marine Fuel Oil Bunkering Specifications”, will be released, laying the technical foundation for digital bunkering.
In 2026, a dispute resolution mechanism for electronic transfers of bonded bunker fuel quantities will be piloted. Onboard mass flow meters will be fully upgraded, achieving a certification rate exceeding 40%, further improving the operational assurance system for digital transfers.
By 2027, full certification of mass flow meter systems for bunker barges will be achieved, establishing China’s first port with full e-BDN transfer capabilities and leading the development of digital transfers for bonded bunker fuel in China.
Mass Flow Meter and Digital Bunkering Implementation Timeline
- April 2014 – The first bunker barge in Zhoushan was equipped with a mass flow meter.
- March 2018 – The Technical Specification for Measurement of Marine Fuel Oil Bunkering Systems was released.
- August 2019 – Official implementation of the “white list” management for bunker barges.
- August 2020 – Achieved full coverage of mass flow meter installation on bunker barges.
- May 2023 – Initiated verification of mass flow meters on barges.
- May 2024 – Achieved full coverage of mass flow meter verification on barges.
- September 2024 – Jointly issued the group standard Technical Requirements for Coriolis Mass Flow Meter Bunkering Systems for Marine Fuel.
- October 2024 – Launched pilot certification of barge mass flow meter systems.
- July 2025 – Achieved the first fully digitalised bunkering process.
Related: Zhoushan becomes first port in China, third in world to implement e-BDN bunker ops
Photo credit: Zhoushan Hi-Tech Zone Administrative Committee
Published: 24 October, 2025
