Singapore: TradeGo becomes fifth whitelisted e-BDN solution provider

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) recently added TradeGo Pte Ltd and its solution, BunkerGo, to the list of approved digital bunkering solutions for the implementation of electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) in the republic. 

TradeGo now joins ADP Clear, Angsana Technology Pte Ltd, ZeroNorth (BTS Pte Ltd) and Bunkerchain in MPA’s whitelisted Digital Bunkering solutions providers.

Kitty Li, Regional Director of TradeGo, said TradeGo, a Singapore-based eBL platform, dedicated to digitising international trade processes, aims to offer paperless and innovative trade services to users across various trade-related sectors such as energy, mineral and metals, and shipping. 

“TradeGo, as the only digital platform globally to support both eBL and e-BDN services, is capable to integrate its eBL solution to provide digital services for innovative trade finance business for bunker suppliers, as well as to support for green shipping to maritime participants,” Li told Manifold Times.

Manifold Times previously reported Singapore becoming the first port in the world to implement e-BDN when MPA launched its digital bunkering initiative on 1 November 2023.

Licensed bunker suppliers, ship owners, operators and crew are encouraged to utilise the mobile and cloud solutions approved by MPA to complete and issue digital bunkering documents, which can save close to 40,000 man-days per year for the bunker industry. 

Over 100 e-BDN trials have been conducted since January 2023, involving more than 20 companies in the Singapore bunkering ecosystem. Feedback from users will continue to be gathered to improve these solutions with plans to make digital bunkering a mandatory requirement by end 2024. 

Meanwhile, MPA will continue to explore and work with the industry on other enhancements, including automating the data flow from Mass Flow Meters.

MPA also published guidelines for the use of digital bunkering service for the bunker supplier, bunker craft operator and the vessel receiving bunkers as well as a sample of eBDN issued in Singapore.

In February, Singapore shipping line Pacific International Lines (PIL), together with Singapore Trade Data Exchange (SGTraDex), signed three separate MOUs with PIL’s bunker suppliers including TFG Marine, KPI OceanConnect and bp respectively, at maritime conference TechWaves.

The MOUs pave the way for PIL and SGTraDex to explore opportunities with each bunker supplier in bunkering supply chain digitalisation, furthering the adoption of eBDN solutions and enhancing the bunkering ecosystem. 

In the same month, classification society DNV announced its digital bunkering delivery platform, FuelBoss, was in the process of being whitelisted by MPA.

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Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 25 April 2024