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Mass Flowmeter

Magnets on MFMs: Case of ‘a few bad apples spoiling the basket’

Representatives of Piroj International, Metcore International and an industry expert, all involved in TR 48 development, share respective opinions with Manifold Times.
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6 years ago

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The use of magnets by certain companies to allegedly influence mass flowmeter (MFM) readings is undermining the integrity of the vast majority of bunker operators who play by the rules and may cause unnecessary reputation damage to Singapore’s bunkering industry.

This was a common view shared by three industry veterans who have been heavily involved in the development of TR48.

Simon Neo, the Executive Director of Singapore-based bunker consultancy firm Piroj International, says there were isolated cases of magnets being used by crew onboard bunker tankers.

“We did hear of magnets being used by certain suppliers but this does not mean all players in Singapore use this,” highlights Neo, who is also the Regional Manager (Asia) at International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA).

He shares that cases have been reported to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) since last year.

“Additionally, it has not been scientifically proven using magnets will benefit the bunker supplier,” he states.

“The transition by the entire Singapore bunkering industry, from sounding-based measurements to using MFMs for the custody transfer of marine fuel, is meant to provide a regulated level playing field for players.

“However, there are still a few bad apples who think they can get away with cheating the system.”

Darrick Pang, Managing Director of Singapore-based marine fuel measurement solutions firm Metcore International Pte. Ltd., says attempts in using magnets further reinforces the need for bunker surveyors to be vigilant in detecting activities that compromise the integrity of bunkering operations.

The Singapore Technical Reference for Bunker Mass Flow Metering (TR 48:2015), under Clause 10.5 ‘Bunkering Operation’, already states the responsibility of surveyors to check for MFM system integrity breaches during operations.

“It is the role of bunker surveyors to be competent in understanding and applying the requirements of TR48 to detect breaches. Having a surveyor’s watchful eye to detect illegal activities would also send a strong signal to veer away from non-compliance,” he said.

On the use of magnets, Pang reminds stakeholders that historical bunkering data is kept on MFM systems over a period of three-months for traceability and accountability under TR 48.

“Magnets will have to be used on MFMs over an extended period of time for meaningful gains, if any,” he said, sharing his take there is no conclusive evidence of fuel loss with the use of magnets.

“There will always be attempts to breach the MFM system; but there are ways and means to analyse the data for irregularities which will expose these illegal activities [if magnets were used during bunkering],” he says.

“Continuous monitoring and control with cooperation from all stakeholders is still as important as the measurement of the meter.”

Moving forward, Seah Khen Hee, who led the Singapore MFM project and is instrumental in developing the principles, requirements and procedures of TR 48, reiterates the technical reference being built on the twin foundations of measurement accuracy and system integrity as respectively stated in Clause 6 and Clause 7.

“Meeting the requirements of these two clauses are fundamental for approval and operation of the MFM system during bunkering activities,” he explains.

“Clause 7 is clear that there should be no tampering or interference of the MFM system before, during, or after measurement; this includes using foreign objects or devices, for example magnets, to alter the results of the measurement or the measuring characteristics of the MFM.

“Any such action [relating to tampering or interference] during bunkering operations not only violate the spirit or intention of the TR 48 standard but can also be considered as attempts at illegal activities where enforcement action either under the licensing regime or other laws may apply.”

Published: 21 March, 2019
 

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Technology

Endress+Hauser and Bunkerchain prepared for end-to-end digital transactions of e-BDN integration ops in 2025

Entities showcased their complete solution to delegates during the 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition.
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Published

2 months ago

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May 13, 2025

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E+H eBDN

Swiss-based mass flowmeter (MFM) manufacturer Endress+Hauser and digital bunkering solutions provider Bunkerchain is preparing their systems in advance for seamless digital bunkering transactions of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)’s pioneering electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) project, learned Manifold Times.

During the 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON 2024), spokesmen from Endress+Hauser and Bunkerchain explained to delegates how their systems work in unison to prepare for the upgrade.

“At SIBCON 2024, we showed our digital bunkering solution together with Bunkerchain, one of our partners for e-BDN,” said Mohamed Abdenbi, Global Business Manager Solutions, Endress+Hauser.

“As soon as a bunker operation is completed, our MFM system automatically transmits ticket data to the bunker app of Bunkerchain for e-BDN documentation.

“With this set up we are ready to support end-to-end digital transactions of e-BDN in Singapore.”

According to Mr Abdenbi, full digitalisation of e-BDN implementation at Singapore port will further significantly increase the efficiency to the republic’s bunker industry due to automation and the likelihood of wrong data filled into bunker checklists being reduced to a minimum.

“Data can be easily shared between the different parties to make daily workflows more efficient. This will have a positive effect on productivity of the bunker industry,” he explained.

“We can confirm this when looking at our own Endress+Hauser paperless production processes and the response of our customers who make use of our Netilion* cloud offering.

“Inconsistent data along the different system components would raise questions and doubts.

“Therefore, we believe it is of great importances the MFM vendor offers a complete and interoperable system for data transmission to ensure necessary integrity of data to make life easy for MFM users and authorities by having a central contact.”

FMS Digital Bunkering Solution 03c page 0001

Leon Ling, CEO of Bunkerchain, echoed Mr Abdenbi’s thoughts.

“At SIBCON 2024, Bunkerchain showcased direct connectivity between Endress+Hauser’s MFM system and our e-BDN solution,” he shared.

“This setup enabled seamless data transfer from the MFM to our e-BDN system onboard vessels, even without internet connectivity. This innovation ensures critical bunker data is securely captured and processed in real-time, paving the way for full digitalisation of e-BDN implementation at Singapore port in 2025.”

Use of MFMs, combined with solutions such as e-BDN, streamline workflows by automating data capture to reduce manual errors for secured real-time data sharing among stakeholders, he noted.

These advancements enhance operational accuracy, improve compliance, and establish a robust framework for efficient and sustainable bunker operations.

Global Energy Trading Pte Ltd (GET), the trading arm of Singapore bunker supplier Global Energy Group, earlier announced the successful implementation of Bunkerchain’s e-BDN system.

During Singapore Maritime Week 2024, Bunkerchain signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with S&P Global Market Intelligence and MPA to pilot the use of digital ship identity in the republic.

*Netilion is a cloud-based IIoT ecosystem designed by Endress+Hauser for industrial processes. It connects the physical and digital worlds to send information from the field straight to the user’s phone, tablet or other device. 

Related: Global Energy Trading selects Bunkerchain e-BDN solution in Singapore
Related: SMW 2024: MPA partners with S&P Global and Bunkerchain in digital ship identity

 

Photo credit: Endress+Hauser
Published: 13 May, 2025

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Methanol

Singapore: Golden Island to start green methanol bunkering trials with IMO type 2 newbuilding

“Golden Antares” is scheduled to depart a Chinese shipyard by end April; it will lift green methanol cargo from China back to Singapore.
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3 months ago

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April 2, 2025

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RESIZED GOLDEN ISLAND

Singapore bunker supplier Golden Island Pte Ltd is planning to start bunkering trials of green methanol with its newbuild Singapore-flagged 7,999 dwt IMO type 2 bunker tanker from July, learns Manifold Times.

“The Golden Antares is scheduled to depart a Chinese shipyard by end April,” shared Tomohiro Yamano, General Manager, Marine Fuel Department.

“We are planning for it to lift the product from Towngas (Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited) which has obtained ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS certifications for green methanol before sailing back with the cargo to Singapore for bunkering trials.”

“We are also working together with Mitsubishi Corporation to purchase green methanol from them.

“With the above steps in place, we ensure green methanol marine fuel provided by Golden Island offers Carbon Intensity (CI) savings of more than 75% when compared against the CI of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) material.”

Yamano-san noted the mass flowmeter (MFM) equipped newbuilding has a 6,500 metric tonne (mt) carrying capacity for methanol.

The cargo will be deposited to a Stolthaven Singapore operated terminal prior to the start of MFM trials in July.

“Singapore’s maritime sector is rapidly evolving and improving to keep up with the times,” he said.

“In late 2023, Golden Island became the first Singapore bunker supplier to adopt 100% e-BDN operations. We were also pioneers to test B30 product in the same year.

“Now, we want to promote change towards sustainable shipping by being amongst the first bunker suppliers to offer a green methanol marine fuel package for receiving vessels lifting bunkers at the republic.”

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

Yamano-san confirmed green methanol marine fuel supplied by the company will adhere to protocols set by TR 129.

MPA has also recently opened applications for licences to supply methanol as a marine fuel in Singapore. This follows the finalisation of Singapore’s methanol bunkering licensing framework and standards, which incorporated input from over 50 proposals received under MPA’s Expression of Interest (EOI) launched in December 2023, as well as methanol bunkering trials and operations conducted in Singapore since 2023.

Related: Golden Island to start methanol bunkering operations at republic by 2026
Related: Golden Island switching to 100% e-BDN operations from 1 December
Related: Golden Island begins fleetwide B30 biofuel bunker trial, starts tests with “Double Happiness”
Related: SMW 2025: MPA seeks methanol bunker supplier licence applications in Singapore
Related: SMW 2025: MPA reveals key requirements for methanol bunkering licence
Related: Singapore releases new standard on methanol bunkering, gears up for multi-fuel future
Related: MPA: Due diligence carried out prior to recent Singapore methanol bunkering pilot
Related: MPA issues EOI seeking for methanol bunker fuel suppliers in Singapore
Related: MPA receives 50 submissions for EOI to supply methanol bunker fuel in Singapore
Related: Singapore bunkering sector enters milestone with first methanol marine refuelling op
Related: First SIMOPS methanol bunkering operation completed in Singapore

 

Photo credit: Golden Island
Published: 2 April 2025

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Bunker Fuel

Global Fuel Supply launches physical bunker fuel supply operation in West Africa

GFS’ newly chartered bunker tanker “Rlo Explorer” will be stationed at Luanda anchorage in Angola; company is also deploying flowmeter technology for precise fuel measurement and rolling out e-BDN.
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Published

5 months ago

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February 21, 2025

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bunker tanker, M/V Rlo Explorer MarineTraffic / RLO Tankers

Bunkering and marine fuel solutions provider Global Fuel Supply (GFS) on Thursday (21 February) announced its expansion in West Africa with the launch of its first physical supply operation. 

The company’s newly chartered 5,498 dwt bunker tanker, M/V Rlo Explorer, will be stationed at Luanda anchorage in Angola. 

“We see tremendous opportunity for growth and expansion in the West African market,” said Bijan Shahbaz, Managing Partner and COO of GFS, in a statement shared with Manifold Times.

“With some of the most dedicated professionals in the industry, we are fully prepared to add even more value for our customers by delivering a smooth, seamless service that sets new standards in this region.”

At under 100metre in length, GFS said M/V Rlo Explorer is ideally suited to go alongside oil rigs and platforms, while its stainless-steel tanks can be cleaned within 24 hours—ensuring maximum flexibility. 

In line with evolving operational and environmental needs, GFS is also deploying advanced flowmeter technology for precise fuel measurement and rolling out Electronic Bunker Delivery Notes (e-BDN) for streamlined, eco-friendly documentation. 

“By positioning the M/V Rlo Explorer at the heart of a major hub, GFS aims to deliver reliability, short turnaround times, and superior customer support,” it added.

 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / RLO Tankers
Published: 21 February, 2025

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