Singapore: MPA tightens testing parameters to reduce contaminated bunker fuels

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on Thursday (8 February) issued a Port Marine Circular No 3 of 2024 regarding the implementation of enhanced testing parameters for marine fuel batches intended to be delivered as bunkers in the port of Singapore in addition to the existing quality assurance measures: 

ADOPTION OF TESTING ENHANCEMENTS FOR MARINE FUEL INTENDED TO BE DELIVERED AS BUNKERS IN THE PORT OF SINGAPORE

This circular serve to inform all bunker suppliers licensed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on the implementation of enhanced testing parameters for marine fuel batches intended to be delivered as bunkers in the port of Singapore in addition to the existing quality assurance measures. These testing enhancements are intended to be carried out at the upstream supply chain for system efficiencies and cost effectiveness compared to doing so for each delivery.

Arising from the bunker contamination incident in Singapore in February 2022, where about 200 ships were supplied with High Sulfur Fuel Oil (HSFO) containing high levels of Chlorinated Organic Compounds (COC) in the Port of Singapore, an Industry Expert Group (IEG) co-chaired by the MPA and Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) was formed to strengthen the quality assurance of bunkers supplied in the Port of Singapore.

The IEG had provided its recommendations to MPA in mid-2023, as attached in Annex A of this circular.

Taking into account the IEG’s recommendations and industry feedback, the following testing enhancements (to be carried out upstream) would be mandatory from 1st June 2024 (in addition to existing quality assurance measures):

For all residual and bio-residual bunker marine fuel supplied in the Port of Singapore, bunker suppliers must ensure that they do not contain COC above 50mg/kg, and must be free from inorganic acids. Specifically,

• COC must be tested for using the EN 14077 accredited test method (concentration of total organic chlorine must not exceed 50mg/kg) and shall be reported in the “Certificate of Quality” (COQ) provided to receiving vessels;
• Inorganic acids must be tested for using ASTM D664 accredited test method as prescribed in ISO 8217 and the Strong Acid Number (SAN) (in addition to the Total Acid Number (TAN)) shall be reported in the COQ (i.e. SAN = 0) provided to receiving vessels;

For all distillate and bio-distillate bunker marine fuel supplied in the Port of Singapore, bunker suppliers must ensure that they are free from inorganic acids, which must be tested for using ASTM D664 test method as prescribed in ISO 8217 and the SAN (in addition to the TAN) shall be reported in the COQ (i.e. SAN = 0) provided to receiving vessels.

Residual marine fuels should also be free from polystyrene, polyethylene and polymethacrylate. For the general detection of these polymers, the fuel can be tested using a test method which consists of filtration, microscopic examination, and Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to qualitatively determine if they are present in the fuel.

It is recommended that all MPA licensed bunker suppliers maintain proper test records to indicate that the current batch of bunker fuel supplied as bunkers in the port of Singapore is free from these polymers. Bunker buyers are also encouraged to consult the bunker suppliers in advance and have proper contractual agreement for the quality of fuel bunkered. MPA is working with relevant agencies and stakeholders to enhance polymer testing capabilities and establish standardised test method for these polymers in Singapore.

For marine fuel which is blended using batches of different fuel or feedstock, the tests prescribed in Para 4 must be carried out after the blending, and before being delivered as bunkers in the Port of Singapore. Blending is not permitted on board the MPA licensed bunker craft and the COQ must be of the fuel prior loading to the bunker tanker before the product is delivered as bunkers in the port of Singapore.

Please refer to Annex B for FAQs. Should you have any queries, please write to us at [email protected]

Note: The full port marine circular can be viewed, which includes Annex A and B here. 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 8 February, 2024