Alternative Fuels

SIBCON 2022 Interview: MFMs relevant for custody transfer of future liquid-based marine fuels, confirms Endress+Hauser

‘MFMs will continue to have a place within the bunkering sector even when the shipping industry continues to adopt new types of marine fuels, such as LNG, biofuel, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen,’ states spokesman.

Published

4 years ago

September 29, 2022

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The following interview is part of event coverage for the upcoming Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON) 2022 where Manifold Times is an official media partner:

Mass flowmeters (MFMs) will continue to remain as the premier choice for supporting the custody transfer of future liquid-based bunker fuels, states the Business Process Consultant – Bunkering & Fuel Supply Chain of MFM manufacturer Endress+Hauser.

“Alternative marine fuels will be amongst key solutions in helping the global merchant fleet achieve International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s decarbonisation goals by 2030 and 2050,” states Mohamed Abdenbi.

“MFMs will continue to have a place within the bunkering sector even when the shipping industry adopts new types of bunker fuels, such as liquified natural gas (LNG), biofuel, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen, heading into the future.

“Even now, Coriolis-based MFMs are being used to support custody transfer operations of these fuels.”

IMO 2030 – Liquified Natural Gas and Biofuels

Based on current industry pilots and feasibility studies, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) believes LNG and biofuels to be the likely interim or transitional fuels used by the shipping industry to meet IMO targets in the near term.

Abdenbi was keen to share LNG bunker suppliers in the Asia Region, have installed a full Endress+Hauser system onboard their LNG bunker tankers.

“Typically, LNG bunkering operations require the bunker stem to be calculated in Metric Million British Thermal Unit (MMBtu) or Giga Joule (GJ),” he explains.

“This is done through the combined measurements from an Endress+Hauser MFM [measuring mass] and Raman spectroscopy analyser (measuring LNG composition). Methane Number is also derived from these 2-measurement methods in accordance with the TR 56: 2020 LNG Bunkering standard developed by Singapore.

“Both figures are captured through our bunkering computer which accurately calculates the total MMBtu delivered during the bunkering operation while also accounting for boil-off gas (BOG).”

“Simply put, with the exception of an LNG insulation kit, these MFMs installed onboard LNG bunker barges are identical with those currently used by Singapore’s bunkering sector.”

MFMs measuring biofuels have meanwhile been used by the palm oil industry for custody measurement over many years, adds Abdenbi.

“The same MFM systems being used by Singapore players to deliver VLSFO and MGO can also be utilised to measure biofuels,” he highlights.

“A fine tuning of the firmware of MFM-equipped bunker tankers delivering VLSFOs will be needed due to the difference in viscosity, while MFMs currently configured for MGO deliveries need not undergo any modification.

“In fact, the Custody Transfer Certificate issued by NMi already covers custody transfer of biofuels for all bunkering MFMs installed onboard the republic’s bunker tankers.”

IMO 2050 – Ammonia and Hydrogen

Though a distance away, Abdenbi was quick to point out several Singapore players being in talks with Endress+Hauser regarding the custody transfer of ammonia as a bunker fuel.

“There are questions at moment whether to use only MFMs alone or supplement them with additional equipment such as the Raman spectroscopy analyser to measure other parameters,” shares Abdenbi.

“What we currently know is vessels used for LNG bunkering can be easily converted to deliver ammonia as a marine fuel due to the difference between the storage temperature of LNG [-160°C] and ammonia [-33°C].

“We will be ready to support the bunkering industry if it heads in that direction, which could come much earlier than we think.”

The conversion of LNG bunker tankers to store and deliver hydrogen, however, will be a challenge due to the product’s storage temperature of -252.8°C.

“We currently supply quite a lot of smaller MFMs in hydrogen applications, but none so far for bunkering purposes,” says Abdenbi.

“Hydrogen is well positioned to be an important fuel to support decarbonisation. As such, the measurement of hydrogen is a big topic for Endress+Hauser and studies are still being conducted.

“Be it LNG, biofuels, ammonia or hydrogen, we are certain MFMs have a part to play in supporting shipping’s decarbonised future.”

A list of other interviews conducted by Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times on occasion of SIBCON 2022 are as follows:

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 28 September, 2022

Alternative Fuels

Olam Agri, Vitol Bunkers wrap up co-processed VLSFO bio-bunkering operation in Singapore

“MV Scion Mathilda” was supplied with 246.5 mt of co-processed VLSFO at the Port of Singapore, comprising 212 mt of conventional VLSFO and 34.5 mt of co-processed CNSL VLSFO.

Published

1 day ago

August 21, 2026

Admin

Olam Agri, Vitol Bunkers wrap up co-processed VLSFO bio-bunkering operation in Singapore

Agri-business Olam Agri on Thursday (20 August) said it successfully completed Singapore’s first bio-bunkering operation with Vitol Bunkers, using Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) co-processed with Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL), showcasing a waste-to-energy approach.

MV Scion Mathilda was supplied with 246.5 metric tonnes (mt) of co-processed VLSFO at the Port of Singapore, comprising 212 mt of conventional VLSFO and 34.5 mt of co-processed CNSL VLSFO. The product was supplied by Vitol Bunkers and procured by Olam Agri’s ocean freight business.

The fuel was subsequently consumed during a voyage from Caofeidian (China) to Rotterdam (Netherlands), followed by a ballast leg from Rotterdam to Barcarena (Brazil).

Total fuel consumption across the voyage comprised 1,354 mt of VLSFO, 101 mt of MGO and 34.1 mt of co-processed VLSFO. The vessel completed the voyage without any operational remarks, confirming the product’s performance in real-world conditions.

The operation marks a significant step forward in the search for practical, scalable alternatives to conventional marine fuels, and demonstrates that meaningful greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions can be achieved without any change to vessel operations.

Martin Fynbo, Head of Bunkers at Olam Agri’s ocean freight business, said: “The successful deployment of this product, achieving verified greenhouse gas mitigation alongside ensuring operational integrity, serves as a definitive proof of concept. This milestone provides validation to a traditionally risk-averse sector, demonstrating that a previously disregarded bio-product solution can both be operationally viable and sustainable.”

Sherman Yeo, Trading Manager, Vitol Bunkers, said: “This operation proves that co-processed VLSFO can be delivered and consumed at sea without any compromise to vessel performance or operational routine. The mass balance solution we have developed opens up a genuinely new avenue for GHG reduction in marine fuels.”

The co-processed VLSFO carries a GHG intensity of 2.02 gCO2eq/MJ, delivering savings of at least 120 MT CO2eq compared with conventional VLSFO on an equivalent basis. This outcome was achieved with no additional onboard handling or fuel treatment requirements.

Vitol’s co-processing and mass balancing methodology resolves a longstanding challenge in the use of CNSL as a marine biofuel. Direct blending of CNSL has historically been dismissed by the industry due to material compatibility and handling issues. By co-processing CNSL within the refinery stream, Vitol has opened a commercially viable pathway for CNSL to contribute to GHG reduction in shipping.

The co-processed VLSFO used in this operation conforms to RMG380 VLSFO grade and has the same chemical composition and quality as conventional fuel, eliminating the need for additional permissions or special clauses in charter party agreements.

“CNSL, derived as a by-product of cashew processing, represents an underutilised feedstock with genuine potential as a scalable marine biofuel component,” Olam Agri added.

“This trial demonstrates that with the right processing approach, it can be integrated into existing supply chains without disruption.”

Photo credit: Vitol
Published: 21 August, 2026

Alternative Fuels

China: CIMC Enric and Sinopec to team up on LNG, methanol bunker fuels in new deal

Under the new agreement, the companies will deepen cooperation across the LNG value chain and develop bunkering solutions including truck-to-ship bunkering services.

Published

1 day ago

August 21, 2026

Admin

China: CIMC Enric and Sinopec to team up on LNG, methanol bunker fuels in new deal

Clean energy equipment and services provider CIMC Enric on Monday (17 August) said it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales Co Ltd, covering LNG, green methanol, shipbuilding and new energy for marine applications.

Under the new agreement, the companies will deepen cooperation across the LNG value chain and develop bunkering solutions including truck-to-ship bunkering services. They also plan to expand into emerging marine fuels and energy solutions, including green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The partnership will focus on five areas: energy-resource cooperation, shipbuilding, marine-fuel bunkering, vehicle-related services and integrated services.

The agreement was signed in Shenzhen on 14 August by Yang Xiaohu, executive director and president of CIMC Enric, and Xu Tao, deputy general manager and Party committee member of Sinopec Fuel Oil.

The cooperation will span commercial implementation, industry development and technology innovation.

The partnership comes as the shipping industry accelerates its transition towards lower-carbon fuels amid tightening International Maritime Organization emissions regulations and China’s carbon-reduction goals.

CIMC Enric specialises in equipment for the clean-energy sector, while Sinopec Fuel Oil leverages the resource and supply network of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec). Both said their complementary capabilities provide a basis for moving beyond a conventional equipment-supply relationship towards broader cooperation integrating equipment, fuels, applications and technology.

The two companies began working together in October 2022, initially focusing on LNG and CNG storage and transportation equipment. Their cooperation has since expanded into marine equipment, green methanol bunkering, storage and transportation equipment, and external gas-source procurement.

The companies said they will establish a regular cooperation mechanism and develop detailed projects to accelerate implementation. The partnership is intended to strengthen collaboration between energy-equipment and energy-supply companies and support the maritime industry’s transition towards lower-carbon fuels.

Photo credit: CIMC Enric
Published: 21 August, 2026

Ammonia

Azane signs ammonia bunkering deal with Equinor, first deliveries due in H2 2026

Both signed a framework agreement for the supply of ammonia and the execution of truck-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations for ammonia-fuelled vessels.

Published

1 day ago

August 21, 2026

Admin

Azane signs ammonia bunkering deal with Equinor, first deliveries due in H2 2026

Azane Fuel Solutions (Azane) on Thursday (20 August) said it has signed a framework agreement with Equinor Energy AS for the supply of ammonia and the execution of truck-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations for ammonia-fuelled vessels.

The first deliveries will commence during the second half of 2026. The agreement establishes a framework for future ammonia fuel deliveries and bunkering operations supporting the maritime industry’s transition towards lower-emission solutions.

“This agreement marks an important milestone for Azane and demonstrates growing confidence in ammonia as a marine fuel,” said Steinar Kostøl, CEO of Azane.

“Truck-to-ship bunkering offers a practical and flexible solution for the early adoption of ammonia-fuelled vessels while the broader ammonia fuel ecosystem continues to develop.”

The agreement covers truck-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations, where ammonia is transported to the quayside and transferred directly to the receiving vessel.

The contract supports Azane’s strategy of enabling near-term deployment of ammonia as a marine fuel while continuing to develop dedicated ammonia infrastructure for future market growth.

Photo credit: Azane Fuel Solutions
Published: 21 August, 2026