SS 648 an evolution from TR 48, says MFM consultancy Metcore International

Mass Flowmeter

Published Fri, 22nd November 2019
by Admin

Managing Director Darrick Pang explains a summary of key differences between SS 648 and TR 48 in event.

The new Singapore Standard, SS 648 – Code of Practice for Bunker Mass Flow Metering (MFM) represents a refinement from the Technical Reference for Bunker Mass Flow Metering (TR 48), says the Managing Director of MFM consultancy Metcore International Pte Ltd.

Darrick Pang was giving a presentation at The Bunker Fuel & Ballast Water Compliance Conference & Workshop (BuBWCE) on Wednesday (13 November) when he noted its improvements.

“The earlier TR 48 was designed around the custody transfer of fuel oil as a bunker fuel; SS 648 now include areas to handle distillates and multi meter setups,” he told delegates at the Conference Connection organized event.

“Another area of enhancement is the inclusion of requirements to cover foreign objects or devices that can affect measurement [of an MFM], thereby further strengthening the integrity of custody transfer.

“There are also well-defined rules for operational sealing to ensure there are no other outlets for oil to bypass after the MFM system.

“The role of surveyors in MFM bunkering have also been given added emphasis in SS 648.”

In his speech, Pang stated MFMs have undergone several challenges since its implementation for bunkering at Singapore since 1 January 2017.

“There were a couple of incidents in which attempts were made to tamper the MFM system which goes to show that the MFM is not simply a plug and play system.

“MFM tampering with an external device is actually traceable due to the device’s data logging capabilities.

“TR 48 provided us with a solid foundation in MFM system implementation. Over the years as we build up our system’s knowledge and experience, we recognise there were some areas we can improve on and this was indispensable during the early stages of SS 648 discussion.”

The SS 648 was launch earlier in November to support the changing needs of the bunker industry as it transits to a low Sulphur fuel oil regime in January 2020 to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations.

Manifold Times earlier reported Metcore assisting bunker supplier Victory Petroleum Trading Pte Ltd in meeting requirements for final acceptance tests under challenging conditions due to the size of the latter’s marine gas oil bunker tankers.

The Singapore company has also helped an Athens-based supplier and bunker tanker meet TR 48:2015 standards by sending its engineers to Greece to oversee the entire operation.

Metcore is among firms recognised by the China Petroleum Circulation Association Marine Fuel Industry Committee (CPCA-MFC) supporting the growing bunkering industry at Zhoushan.

Photo credit: Conference Connection
Published: 22 November, 2019

SS 648 an evolution from TR 48, says MFM consultancy Metcore International

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