SIBCON 2026: Urgent need for consistency and accountability in bunkering sector, highlights INTERTANKO

There is an urgent need for consistency and accountability in the bunkering industry, highlights the Regional Manager Southeast Asia, India and Japan & Environment Manager, at INTERTANKO.

With members operating over 3,800 tankers, Elfian Harun brought the perspective of shipowners and operators to the panel discussion Key Highlights of Standards for Trust and Quality at the Pre-Conference Symposium of the 24th Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON 2026) on Tuesday (13 October).

He mentioned the following points with a focus on the operational realities of managing bunker standards across a global shipping fleet.

The Need for Global Harmonisation

Harun argued because ships operate globally, the regulatory framework for bunker fuel must also be global. He expressed concern over the current “patchwork” of standards, where individual ports and suppliers apply varying technical requirements. This fragmentation creates significant planning and coordination challenges for shipowners and operators.

He advocated for a single, globally agreed-upon regulatory framework with harmonised standards, which he believes would provide greater certainty for investment while maintaining high safety levels worldwide.

The Reality of Third-Party Bunker Supply

Addressing the practical difficulties of compliance, Harun noted while some shipowners have the resources to scrutinise bunker suppliers directly, the majority rely on third parties, such as traders and agents to secure marine fuel.

This dependency leaves many shipowners at the mercy of the seller’s side, particularly when vessels are in transit through regions where standardised fuel options may not be available.

He suggested the industry needs to find ways to hold these third parties accountable for the bunker fuel they supply, potentially through charter party agreements or IMO-enforced rules.

Mass Flow Meters and Quality Assurance

Harun meanwhile provided historical context on the importance of using mass flow meters (MFM) for bunkering, recalling the “cappuccino bunker” era of over 15 years ago, where ships often did not receive the quantity of marine fuel they paid for.

He noted the development of SS 648: 2024 (Code of practice for bunker mass flow metering) was a direct response to these commercial and reputational issues, aiming to provide transparency and reduce disputes.

However, Harun cautioned the existence of an international standard (ISO 22192) does not automatically guarantee global consistency. He pointed out that even when MFMs are present, fundamental issues remain, such as whether the equipment is properly calibrated.

Harun emphasised that the full benefits of standardisation can only be realised if these standards are implemented consistently across all ports, not just a select few.

Credibility in Green Fuel Claims

On the topic of green attributes and sustainability, Harun stressed that credibility is the primary concern for shipowners paying a premium for certified green marine fuels.

He raised a critical question regarding responsibility: if an owner purchases certified fuel in good faith, but the credentials later prove to be incorrect, the ship is often the one penalised despite having no control over the upstream supply chain.

Harun concluded that the industry must address this accountability gap, noting that Singapore’s current efforts to develop standards in this area are a positive step forward.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 14 October 2026