SIBCON 2026: Digitalisation expands, does not replace, measurement integrity, states Endress+Hauser.

As the maritime industry accelerates its transition toward electronic Bunker Delivery Notes (e-BDNs) and digital workflows, the focus on data integrity has become paramount.

Mohamed Abdenbi, Solution Business Manager, Endress+Hauser, argues that this evolution represents an expansion of the bunker industry’s existing foundation of measurement integrity rather than a departure from it.

Abdenbi was speaking at the panel discussion Maritime Digitalisation: Unlocking Value Across Fuel Supply Chains at the 24th Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON 2026) on Wednesday (14 October) when he made the following points:

Bedrock of Singapore’s Success

Reflecting on the progress of Singapore’s bunkering industry over the last decade, Abdenbi highlighted the successful implementation of mass flow meters (MFMs) in the sector was driven by three critical factors: the use of traceable SI*-unit-based measurement, the development of robust standards including SS 648, and strong regulatory enforcement.

“The real success was, at the end of the day, a combination of usage of a proven measurement based on mass flow metering,” Abdenbi noted. He emphasised mass flow metering provides a level of traceability to international SI units that other measurement types currently lack.

Expanding to Data Integrity

While measurement integrity remains the foundation, the expansion towards digital workflows introduces new challenges. Abdenbi explained as the industry moves toward e-BDNs, the focus must expand to include data integrity.

“When we look back ten years ago, the biggest challenge the industry faced was the measurement integrity making sure the quantity delivered was accurate and trusted,” Abdenbi said. “Now, since we are moving towards digitalisation, the question is no longer just ‘Did we measure correctly?’ but also ‘Can everyone trust the data throughout its entire digital journey?’

Addressing Discrepancies and Future Readiness

Abdenbi also addressed the persistent issue of discrepancies between terminal loading and barge delivery.

He noted while discrepancies of 0.2% to 0.3% are not uncommon, the industry is increasingly adopting MFMs at jetties and terminals to harmonise measurement across the supply chain.

“The solution in the future is to have a harmonised method for measuring quantity delivered or received along the supply chain,” Abdenbi stated.

Furthermore, Abdenbi highlighted shipping companies are increasingly installing bunker metering systems on board vessels – even when operating in ports without mandatory requirements – to gain accurate fuel consumption data.

This data is critical for optimising voyages and calculating CO2 emissions, proving that digital instrumentation is essential for managing the complex marine fuel landscape of the future.

*SI stands for the International System of Units (from the French Système international d’unités)

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 20 October 2026