Mass Flowmeter

TFG-sponsored paper: Singapore shows implementing certified, calibrated MFM system works

Paper argues global adoption of calibrated MFMs will bring much-needed transparency to bunkering; proposes Singapore’s MFM- based bunker licensing system as a template for regulators in other regions.

Published

11 months ago

January 10, 2024

Admin

TFG-sponsored paper: Singapore shows implementing certified, calibrated MFM system works

TFG Marine, the global marine fuel supply and procurement joint venture between Trafigura and shipping firms Frontline and Golden Ocean, on Tuesday (9 January) published its industry-endorsed Modernising Marine Fuel Delivery white paper written in collaboration with marine fuel supply expert Adrian Tolson.

The firm said the paper outlined the multiple benefits of the adoption of calibrated coriolis mass flow meters (MFMs).

It called on all marine fuel supply chain participants to actively support the widespread implementation of this digital and vetted technology, that not only brings added transparency, but through accurate data capture will assist shipowners, ports and other industry stakeholders in meeting their decarbonisation ambitions.

“This paper argues that the global adoption of calibrated mass flow meters (MFMs) will bring much-needed transparency to bunkering by generating accurate, real- time data for all stakeholders along the marine fuel supply chain,” according to the introduction of the paper.

“It describes the problems for the industry caused by inaccurate quantity measurement and sets out a number of remedial actions. It recognises the success of Singapore’s MFM- based bunker licensing system and proposes this as a template for regulators in other regions across the world. It calls on all supply chain participants to actively support MFM-based deliveries, promote transparency and encourage digitalisation in the long-term interests of the bunker industry and to help further the decarbonisation goals of the shipping industry.”

In a section titled “Lessons from Singapore”, the paper said Singapore has shown that implementing a certified, calibrated MFM system works over the last six years.

“It has been a key factor in transforming one of the world’s most challenging bunker markets (in terms of quantity measurement) into one where quantity measurement concerns (at least from barge to ship) have totally disappeared,” the paper said.

“All this has been achieved with Singapore maintaining its prowess as the world’s largest bunkering location and the cheapest in Asia.”

It added MPA’s success provides a model for the rest of the industry.

“Having said that, it must also be recognised that what Singapore has achieved may be harder to implement in other jurisdictions. Laxer regulatory regimes have, up to now, shown little if any willingness to tackle the fundamental problems of the industry,” it said.

The paper also said Singapore has demonstrated how MFM regulations could be introduced in the industry to support bunker suppliers and buyers with the technical mechanism for monitoring transactions accurately.

“Its all-encompassing approach to regulation has raised industry standards by transforming business practice across its supply chain. Singapore’s regulatory regime provides a solid foundation for the industry that should be emulated globally. The question for the industry is how best to put this into practice,” it said.

It described Singapore’s bunker fuel supply licensing programme as “robust, comprehensive and enforceable.”

The MPA has licensing requirements for all four different levels of service providers: bunker surveyors, bunker tankers, bunker tanker operators and physical suppliers. These requirements can and do change frequently. In addition, all members of the bunker supply chain, as well as others (including vessels taking bunkers), must abide by a common set of standards governing bunkering activity in the port.

These include SS 600, Singapore Standard Code of Practice for Bunkering; SS 648, Singapore Standard Code of Practice for Bunker Mass Flow Metering; SS 524, Singapore Standard Specification for Quality Management for Bunker Supply Chain; and the Singapore MPA’s Standards for Port Limit Bunker Tankers.

“Singapore’s all-encompassing approach to regulation was a rational response to extreme circumstances,” the paper stated.

“Prior to licensing, its bunker supply community’s reputation had been badly tarnished by repeated scandals. Introducing a rigorous regulatory regime has brought much-needed order and clarity. Singapore is now widely regarded as one of the best places in the world to conduct bunkering business. All this has been achieved without damaging the port’s competitiveness.”

The paper concluded that marine fuel suppliers must progressively introduce ISO 22192-compliant MFM systems, not just where it is mandatory, but at other international locations.

“Shipowners and fuel buyers should aim to continue to buy from these suppliers even if headline prices move higher,” it concluded.

The paper was endorsed by industry stakeholders including Lloyd’s Register, Hafnia, Golden Ocean, Cepsa, Metcore International Pte Ltd and Fratelli Cosulich.

Note: The full white paper titled ‘Modernising marine fuel delivery’ can be viewed here.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 10 January, 2024

Related Topics:Business - Project Others - Research Technology - Mass flowmeter

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Singapore to implement new bunker mass flow metering standards from 1 April 2025

MPA will mandate the use of SS 648: 2024 for the custody transfer of bunker deliveries to ocean-going ships in the Port of Singapore from 1 April 2025; use of SS 648: 2019 will cease on the same date.

Published

1 month ago

November 1, 2024

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (1 November) issued Port Marine Circular No. 12 of 2024 informing the marine industry that the use of SS 648: 2024 for the custody transfer of bunker deliveries to ocean-going ships in the Port of Singapore will be mandatory from 1 April 2025:

This circular serves to inform the maritime industry that the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will mandate the use of SS 648: 2024 for the custody transfer of bunker deliveries to ocean-going ships in the Port of Singapore from 1 April 2025. Consequently, the use of SS 648: 2019 will cease from 1 April 2025.

Published by the Singapore Standards Council in October 2024, the SS 648: 2024 serves as the latest version of the SS 648 and is the result of a joint review of the previous version (SS648: 2019) by the MPA, Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), as well as representatives from bunker suppliers/craft operators, bunker buyers, testing and surveying companies, oil majors, equipment vendors, relevant government agencies and industry experts to meet the changing needs of the bunkering industry.

The SS 648: 2024 is divided into 2 parts for ease of operational use. Part 1 covers pre-approval processes such as meter selection, acceptance tests, etc.; while Part 2 covers post-approval processes such as health, safety and environment requirements, metrological requirements, system integrity requirements and metering procedures. Other key changes include:

Updating of the acceptance test to include single tanker meter-in meter-out as an additional option for approval of Mass Flow Metering (MFM) system;
Considerations after a software update or upgrade to provide better clarity;
Biofuels in the coverage of the standard;
Use of data logger and edge device with enhanced requirements for data security, data integrity and data transmission requirements;
Replacing minimum measured quantity (MMQ) with new table on minimum bunker quantity (MBQ) for better clarity;
Updates of the sampling requirements with new information from SS 600:2022 Code of practice for bunkering by bunker tankers using tank gauging;
New content on digital documentation to be cross referenced to new Specification for Digital Bunkering Supply Chain Documentation; and
Reorganisation of the content of bunker claims procedures and dispute resolution

Training Requirements for Cargo Officers and Bunker Surveyors

The MPA has worked with SSA and IBIA to develop a refresher course on the new requirements of the SS 648: 2024, which is expected to commence from January 2025. All in-service bunker cargo officers and bunker surveyors are required to complete this refresher course (conducted by SSA and IBIA) by 1 April 2025. Bunker cargo officers and bunker surveyors that have not attained the necessary certification will not be allowed to conduct bunkering operations in the Port of Singapore.

For further information on the courses, please contact SSA and IBIA as follows:

Singapore Shipping Association
Website: www.ssa.org.sg
Tel: 6305 2260

International Bunker Industry Association

Website: www.ibia.net
Tel: 6427 0916

Queries relating to this circular can be directed to [email protected].

Manifold Times previously reported Enterprise Singapore (ESG), a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Government of Singapore administering the Singapore Standardisation programme launching two new bunkering standards while revising a third benchmark at the 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON 2024).

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 1 November, 2024

Business

IPEC 2024: China’s largest bunkering port highlights ‘breakthroughs’ in five key areas

Zhoushan official shares progress of local bunkering industry; including infrastructures and logistics of alternative bunker fuels, white-listed bunker barges, and MFMs.

Published

1 month ago

October 25, 2024

Admin

Bunkering publication Manifold Times, an official media partner of the 7th International Petroleum and Natural Gas Enterprises Conference, was present at the event to report on the following development:

Several improvements have taken place within China’s largest bunkering port since 2023 to date, said the Deputy Director of Zhoushan High-tech Zone Administrative Committee on Thursday (17 October).

Cui Yiling was giving a speech to delegates at the 7th International Petroleum and Natural Gas Enterprises Conference (IPEC 2024) in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province when she highlighted “breakthroughs” in five areas at Zhoushan port.

“Since the beginning of this year, we have benchmarked ourselves against world class ports following the highest international standards and requirements to support the development of Zhoushan’s bunkering industry,” said Ms Cui.

“We focused on maritime low carbon transition, service efficiency & improvement, market standardisation, sector engagement, and value creation – resulting in breakthroughs in five aspects.”

Green marine fuels

“Zhoushan is entering a new stage for the supply of clean marine fuels. To date, the number of LNG (liquefied natural gas) bunkering entities at Zhoushan port increased to two, while customs have approved the construction of a new 160,000 m³ (cubic meter) LNG bonded tank,” she stated.

“New biofuel blending policies are expected to be implemented in Zhoushan before the end of this year and a 1 million annual mt (metric tonne) capacity biofuel production plant is being constructed. 200,000 mt of biofuel will be put into production next year though pilot blending projects.

“A pilot truck-to-ship methanol bunkering operation was carried out and construction of methanol bunkering barges have been launched. We are in talks with stakeholders to secure green methanol.”

Operational improvements

Ms Cui noted the number of anchorages at Zhoushan port rose to 86 positions in 2024, resulting in increasing efficiency of bunkering operations. Meanwhile, the maritime department has implemented all-weather anchorage positions which are able to meet the bunkering requirements of various ship types.

Overall, bunker barges at Zhoushan have become larger and more specialised. A total of 52 white-listed bunker barges, about half having more than 4,000 mt capacity, are currently registered with the port. The figure includes 18 Zhoushan type bunker tankers with the largest having a capacity of 7,000 mt.

More than 2.73 million m³ of oil storage capacity was added to Zhoushan this year. To date, the total oil storage capacity of Zhoushan has exceeded 38 million m³.

Market standardisation

“The maritime digital fuel station has been upgraded and we are now able to supervision all parties involved in a bunkering fuel supply operation in Zhoushan,” she shared.

“In conjunction with the CPCA (China Petroleum Circulation Association), we have also launched a group technical standard for MFMs (mass flowmeters) this year and there are plans to complete the certification work of another three bunker tankers to meet ISO 22192 bunkering standards by end of this year.

“Our maritime joint law enforcement branch has been strictly controlling key links, such as barge tendering, oil transportation, and bunker measurement of marine refuelling operations. Barges not meeting regulations have been withdrawn accordingly [from the whitelist].”

Industry engagement

Ms Cui noted representatives of the Zhoushan High-tech Zone Administrative Committee have been also carrying out regular visits to large domestic and foreign shipowners and oil traders.

This year, strategic cooperations have been formed between international business entities at Rotterdam and Singapore to further develop Zhoushan’s bunkering sector; including in the areas of overseas publicity through a cooperative agreement with Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.

Manifold Times x Zhoushan port mou signing MT

Market research on new fuels has been carried out, and cooperation agreements have been formed between bunker fuel suppliers, traders, producers, and other stakeholders to jointly enhance the international influence and reputation of Zhoushan as a bonded bunker oil center.

Value creation

To date, approximately 1,600 maritime service firms have gathered at Zhoushan to help the island achieve a leading maritime position within China, she said.

“Zhoushan currently accounts for about 40% of China's repair output and crew transfer volume, and about a-third of our country’s newbuilding capacity; we are the largest foreign ship repair base and crew transfer port in China,” explained Ms Cui.

“In the first half of this year, the total output of maritime services at Zhoushan reached RMB 32.2 billion representing a year-on-year increase of more than 31%.

“Moving forward, we will continue to focus on the goal of creating a world class hub for the allocation of commodity resources and continue to make efforts in the areas of innovation, regulatory, training and more to further establish Zhoushan as Northeast Asia’s top bonded ship fuel refilling center.”

Photo credit [first image]: Zhoushan High-tech Zone Administrative Committee
Photo credit [second image]: Zhoushan Daily
Published: 25 October 2024

Events

IPEC 2024: CPCA releases lists of top ten global bunkering ports and marine fuel suppliers

Sinopec Bunker and Chimbusco took second and third place of the top ten international bunker suppliers list.

Published

1 month ago

October 21, 2024

Admin

Content for the following story was sourced from China Petroleum Circulation Association (CPCA) which released the information to bunkering publication Manifold Times:

CPCA on Thursday (17 October) released lists of the top ten global bunkering ports and marine fuel suppliers at the 7th International Petroleum and Natural Gas Enterprises Conference (IPEC 2024) in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province.

Wang Liguo, Executive Chairman of the Marine Fuel Professional Committee at CPCA, released results of the top ten global bunkering ports, while Xu Tao, Representative of the Chairman unit of the Marine Fuel Technical Committee at CPCA, released results of the top ten international bunker fuel suppliers.

2023 global rankings by supplier

Zheng Wen, President of CPCA, meanwhile attended the meeting and delivered a speech where he encouraged China's marine fuel industry to actively implement the environmental goals of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council.

CPCA President Zheng Wen

According to Mr Zheng, the ambition is to strengthen planning and policy coordination, enhance technological innovation capabilities, improve standard and specification systems to accelerate the development of low carbon and green marine fuel.

He further highlighted the use of mass flowmeters (MFMs) for bunkering should be widely promoted to support a standardised, healthy and orderly development for the Chinese marine fuel industry.

As such, Mr Zheng said CPCA is willing to work with all stakeholders by taking the initiative to share opportunities and discuss cooperation to jointly promote a green, sustainable, and high-quality development of China's marine fuels industry.

Photo credit: China Petroleum Circulation Association
Published: 21 October 2024