Third party mass flowmeter (MFM) calibration specialist Mogas Flow Lab (MFL) has started a service to help Singapore bunker tanker owners achieve Technical Reference for Bunker Mass Flow Metering (TR 48:2015#1) compliance, it says.
The latest development comes after a recent appointment by Singapore’s Weights and Measures Office (WMO), a unit under Enterprise Singapore (ESG), for MFL to become an Authorised Verifier (AV) for MFM equipment – including those found on board Singapore-registered bunker tankers.
TR 48:2015 states the MFM system shall be sealed to prevent unauthorised adjustment, tampering or dismantling.
However, MFL (other than WMO) is the only local entity designated to handle the Weights and Measures (W&M) seal for MFMs meeting the Singapore Weights and Measures requirements for trade use, it notes.
“The W&M seal is typically broken for accessing critical MFM settings such as adjustment of a MFM’s stored zero value,” a MFL spokesperson told Manifold Times.
“We will also like to highlight MFL as the only local, impartial and independent ISO 17025:2017 accredited company granted to control the use of W&M verification seals.
“We are authorised to issue a new W&M seal should it be required, or to renew the 12-month validity of the W&M seal that is required for all custody measurement instruments.
“Additionally, Mogas has also started providing zero verification services to the bunkering industry from late January onwards after successfully engaging our first client.”
He adds MFL has had a wealth of experience conducting zero verification Services, having done so for the majority of oil and gas companies in Jurong Island.
“Our methodology for zero verification services is in accordance to OIML’ #2 Recommendation R117: 2014- Part II whereby it is required that the zeroing process shall be carried at the device place of use with Low-Flow-Cut or output inhibiting filters removed,” explains the MFL spokesman.
Sia Teck Chong, Chief Technology Officer of Singapore-based 'smart shipping' technology firm Ascenz, which engaged MFL for zero verification services, is positive of the development.
“MFL has been offering MFM services since 2001 and is an established Singapore player in the land-based MFM calibration sector,” he states.
“We congratulate MFL for being recognised by WMO as an AV for MFMs and look forward towards a fruitful business relationship in the marine and bunkering sector.”
Zero verification of a MFM is done on a quarterly basis during the MFM bunkering unit’s first year of commercial operations and every half a year thereafter, according to TR 48:2015.
MFM calibrations, meanwhile, are conducted once every three years from the date of approval.
MFL is designated an AV code ‘AV33’ under the Enterprise Singapore list of AVs for verification of weighing and measuring instruments used for trade purposes.
AVs are qualified private sector companies designated by ESG to be able to perform verification on weighing and measuring instruments such as MFMs for trade use.
The list of WMO- designated Authorised Verifiers able to perform verification of weighing and measuring instruments can be found here.
Parties interested in engaging MFL for the above services can contact:
Poh Wei Jin
Sales & Marketing Director
Mobile: +65 9138 1035
Email: mkt@my-mogas.sg
#1 TR48- Technical Reference 48: 2015- Bunker mass flow metering. Published by Enterprise Singapore.
#2 OIML- The International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) is a worldwide, intergovernmental organization whose primary aim is to harmonize the regulations and metrological controls applied by the national metrological services, or related organizations, of its Member States. Internet: www.oiml.org
Photo credit: Mogas Flow Lab
Published: 13 March, 2019
Christoffer Berg Lassen talks with Manifold Times about MFMs, consolidations, and the importance of maintaining a market presence at Singapore and Asia.
Material published in partnership with E+H and MPA, CEO and Board Member of company tells Manifold Times.
Representatives of Oldendorff, Stena Bulk, Fratelli Cosulich, and TOTAL Marine Fuels Global Solutions discuss IMO 2020, activities in the last 12 months, and future bunker industry developments.
The Marine Pamela, fitted with a 4-inch meter and 10-inch meter, passed tests by the MFM Working Group.
Chinese delegation were taken on a field trip to the Marine Rose to witness a live MFM bunkering operation.
Bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators may choose to carry out meter verification using either existing MIMO method OR with the use of a Master Meter.
Universal Alliance, BMS United, Digiland International, Goodwood Associates, Southernpec (Singapore), and Taigu Energy were involved in alleged circular fictitious trades of fuel oil during July 2015.
Bunker orders of ISO 8217:2010 spec LS 380 cSt 0.5% for Nord Gemini, Nord Titan, Ocean Rosemary, and Luzern were placed through global commodities trading and logistics house Trafigura Pte Ltd.
While Covid-19 concerns are important, Captain Rahul Choudhuri was quick to note this does not mean bunker fuel related issues have indeed disappeared from the shipping sector.
‘Therefore, representing the players of the Malaysian bunker industry, we sincerely hope that this matter can be refined and reconsidered immediately so that all parties benefit together,’ says communication.
Maureen Poh, a Director of Helmsman LLC, offers plain practical tips on the differences between US and EU Sanctions and shares some thoughts on what companies could do if they are potentially exposed to sanctioned entities.
‘We [Consort Bunkers] have the opinion that the bunker business in Singapore is not related to the widely reported earlier cargo commodity trading mishaps,’ company source tells Manifold Times.
