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VPS Quick Screen Service summarises top issues during MFM bunkering ops in 2018

‘It is important to gain a deeper understanding over TR 48:2015 non-conformances as not all cases mean we have a big problem,’ says Managing Director, AMEA.
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Data from international fuel testing and inspection company Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) mass flowmeter (MFM) Quick Screen Service detected several instances of operators not managing MFMs to the Technical Reference for Bunker Mass Flow Metering (TR 48:2015) during bunkering operations at Singapore port in 2018.

The MFM Quick Screen service for shipowners evaluates the performance of MFM during bunker deliveries in accordance to the Technical Reference for Bunker Mass Flow Metering (TR 48:2015) at Singapore.

“The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and Working Group on mass flow metering have done an excellent job to develop TR 48:2015,” Rahul Choudhuri, Managing Director, AMEA, told Manifold Times.

“However, these guidelines are not always followed by bunkering crew during operations on the waterfront.

“Based from collated data of the VPS MFM Quick Screen Service we were able to summarise and get a good idea of the key points stakeholders should look out for during a MFM bunker delivery process.

“These areas are the ones with a higher risk of non-conformance.”

The most reported cases of operators not complying to TR 48:2015 practices in 2018 were over line clearing practices, deliveries under the minimum mass flow rate (Qmin), MFM drive gain/damping, and the flow rate going beneath the low flow cut off value.

These problems, on the surface, may suggest violations during MFM bunkering but this is not always the case, clarifies Choudhuri who used the case of line clearing as an example.

Section 10.5.2.10 of TR 48:2015 states line clearing should not be repeated more than twice after completion of the pumping operation.

“We find it to be mistakes made by the bunker operator in most cases when line clearing is done more than twice, however, we are also aware that some vessels specifically request line clearing to be conducted for an extended period of time after the bunker operation thereby not conforming to TR 48:2015 practises,” he says.

“In light of this, we need to state that extended line clearing creates aeration and therefore affects the final MFM reading. A good line clearing & stripping should be around 10 minutes, and the maximum we have seen is up to 30 minutes.”

Choudhuri next points out the operation of MFM units beneath the Qmin to be the second most common TR 48:2015 issue detected by the VPS MFM Quick Screen Service.

“Mass flowmeters are designed to operate within certain tolerances and delivering bunker fuel beneath the Qmin over a period of time will certainly affect the device’s measurement uncertainty,” he explains.

“The delivery of bunker fuel below Qmin will affect the measurement uncertainty of the MFM.”

However, Qmin caused by e.g. the momentary changing of tanks or low pumping rate, and consistent Qmin over a period of time are two different operations.

“Specifically, shipowners will need to take notice of consistent Qmin over a period of time as this affects the total reading and measurement uncertainty of the MFM,” Choudhuri highlights.

The indication of excessive drive gain or damping where more deflection occurs in the flow tube, and aeration within the MFM system, are among the top TR 48:2015 non-conformances recorded; the scenario occurs when the MFM system detects entrained air, also known as aeration, introduced during the bunkering process.

The transfer of bunker material beneath the low flow cut off value was also within the list of top TR 48:2015 non-conformances registered by the VPS MFM Quick Screen Service.

"The low flow cut off value for fuel oil bunkering operations is usually set to around 10 metric tonnes (mt) per hour or less subject to pipe diameter and this is the lowest level that a MFM can measure to deliver fluid; anything below this value and the whole unit stops measuring which can be bad for the bunker supplier," says Choudhuri.

“But registering a transfer rate beneath the low flow cut off value does not necessary mean the equipment is not functioning well as it can happen when a supplier is conducting a tank to tank change operation while bunkering.”

He concludes: “As discussed in the above scenarios, the results themselves show how diverse the reasons are for TR 48:2015 non-conformances; a deeper understanding is important as not all cases mean we have a big problem.”

“This is also where trained personnel, such as the role of the bunker surveyor, comes in to tell the difference and will continue to exist.

“The surveyor’s role is still very important and these are just some of the issues which may or may not be the supplier's fault; which is why we want these operations to be well managed.

“Today, the bunker surveyor is more relevant than before as we have gone beyond the traditional surveying scope on just check on bunker quantity. 

“Many practises in TR 48 are currently under review to upgrade it to a Singapore Standard (SS) and this includes the extended role of the bunker surveyor as well.”

Photo credit: Veritas Petroleum Services
Published: 10 January, 2019
 

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Technology

Endress+Hauser launches new TECH Centre in Singapore

Centre will serve as a platform for application development and solution validation, supporting customers with calibration, application support and process training for industries including oil and gas and marine.

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Swiss-based mass flowmeter (MFM) manufacturer Endress+Hauser on Thursday (19 March) said it has opened its new Technological and Calibration Hub (TECH Centre) in Singapore.

The integrated hub brings together a flow calibration facility, process training unit, and interactive technology demonstrations under one roof – enabling companies to develop, test, and validate solutions in real-world environments. 

The Singapore TECH Centre will serve as a platform for application development and solution validation, supporting customers with calibration, application support and process training for industries including water and wastewater management, life sciences, food and beverage, oil and gas, marine, chemical, and infrastructure.

By combining calibration, training and live demonstrations, the TECH Centre supports closer collaboration with customers throughout the lifecycle of their processes, strengthening Endress+Hauser’s ability to address practical, industry-specific challenges across Singapore and Southeast Asia.

“The new TECH Centre allows us to work closer with customers and turn real-world application challenges into practical solutions,” said Mr Richard Yu, Managing Director, Endress+Hauser Singapore.

From a global perspective, the TECH Centre reflects Endress+Hauser’s approach to staying close to customers by anchoring technical capabilities where industries operate and grow.

“Customer proximity is about relevance. The Singapore TECH Centre helps us translate global expertise into local, application-specific value,” said Dr Henry Chia, Corporate Sales Director, Endress+Hauser.

The opening ceremony was attended by Swiss Ambassador to Singapore Mr Frank Grütter, representatives from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), industry partners and members of the media.

Speaking at the event, Grütter described Endress+Hauser as a “hidden Swiss champion” and highlighted the company’s long-term commitment to innovation and quality.

Beyond customer engagement, the TECH Centre supports the development of high-value technical roles in areas such as calibration, application engineering and customer training, contributing to skills development and strengthening the broader industrial ecosystem.

“We congratulate Endress+Hauser on the opening of its TECH Centre in Singapore. Building on nearly three decades here, this investment reflects the company’s continued confidence in Singapore as a hub for innovation and customer collaboration. The centre will serve as an important site where new applications are developed to support growth of relevant industries across Southeast Asia,” said Mr Soo Haw Yun, Vice President, Global Enterprises Division, Singapore EDB.

With an established presence in Singapore since 1989, the TECH Centre further underscores Endress+Hauser’s long-term commitment to the country as a location for specialised technical capabilities, supporting the advancement of Singapore’s advanced process industries through enhanced calibration, training and application expertise.

Related: Endress+Hauser and Bunkerchain prepared for end-to-end digital transactions of e-BDN integration ops in 2025
Related: Endress+Hauser and SICK launch strategic partnership for process automation

 

Photo credit: Endress+Hauser
Published: 23 March, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

China: Zhoushan port records 8 million mt annual bunker volume for 2025

This marked a year-on-year increase of 10.6% from 7.26 million mt in 2024 and the first time the port has hit the 8 million mt mark for the first time, says Zhoushan Hi-Tech Zone Administrative Committee.

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Zhoushan port records 8 million mt annual bunker volume for 2025

Zhoushan Hi-Tech Zone Administrative Committee on Wednesday (7 January) said Zhoushan recorded a bonded bunkering volume of 8.03 million metric tonnes (mt) in 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of 10.6%.

The committee said this is the first time the port has hit the 8 million mt mark for the first time, potentially ranking among the top three bunkering ports globally. 

Manifold Times previously reported Zhoushan delivering 7.26 million mt of marine fuel in 2024.

The committee highlighted the efforts to improve service, cost, and efficiency, while implementing 41 targeted measures in 2025. 

Efforts were made in key areas such as accelerating green transformation, optimising digital supervision, facilitating anchorage bunkering, and consolidating cost advantages, driving comprehensive improvement in the quality and efficiency of industrial development. 

In line with the global trend of green transformation of marine fuel, the city has introduced management measures for green bunkering operations, a joint supervision mechanism for bunkering vessels, and an action plan for green transformation of bunkering, thus improving the regulatory and service system. 

Zhoushan port records 8 million mt annual bunker volume for 2025

The city achieved nearly 120,000 mt of biofuel bunkering. Zhoushan also put into operation an LNG bonded warehouse, commenced construction of the first methanol bunkering vessel, and established the first liquid ammonia bunkering company, accelerating the development of alternative bunker fuels such as LNG, methanol, and ammonia.

The city has continuously explored reforms and innovations in a bunker measurement system, releasing the first provincial standard for mass flow meters in China. 

It has conducted compliance inspections, statutory verifications, and pilot certifications for the installation and use of mass flow meters on barges, and implemented an online e-BDN system, successfully completing trials and entering routine operation. 

This has significantly simplified the processes of metering, handover, and verification, making the city the first in the country to achieve fully digital handover of the bonded fuel bunkering process. 

In July 2025, Zhoushan became the first port in China and third in the world to implement electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDN) after issuing its first. 

A series of convenient anchorage measures were implemented. Provincial and municipal customs, maritime, and border inspection departments issued a package of facilitation support measures. 

They assessed and optimised nighttime supply conditions, added priority anchorages for bunkering, expanded the number of night time supply barges, and innovatively implemented a “one-window” service for refuelling vessels throughout the customs area, separate supervision and verification for large and small vessels, and simultaneous bunkering and cargo operations (SIMOPS). 

These measures further simplified customs clearance procedures at Zhoushan Port and effectively improved anchorage turnover efficiency and carrying capacity. 

With that, the bunker volume at Zhoushan anchorage reached 2.85 million mt in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 19.1%, becoming the core driving force for market growth. Among them, the bunker volume at Xiushan East anchorage reached 1.48 million mt, a year-on-year increase of 33.45%.

As for infrastructure, the city has accelerated storage and transportation projects for commissioning and expansion, adding 2.53 million cubic metres (m3) of oil and gas storage capacity.

The committee added that specialised policies, such as the “Implementation Opinions on Supporting the High-Quality Development of Zhoushan’s Bonded Marine Fuel Bunkering Industry,” was also introduced to drive cost reduction and efficiency improvement for enterprises.

Related: China: Zhoushan Port achieves 7.26 million mt annual bunker volume for 2024
Related: IPEC 2025: Zhoushan moves digital bunkering initiative to full-scale implementation
Related: Zhoushan becomes first port in China, third in world to implement e-BDN bunker ops
Related: IPEC 2025: Chinese stakeholders inked deals on alternative bunker fuels and e-BDN
Related: China: First LNG bonded bunker warehouse in Zhoushan begins operation

 

Photo credit: Zhoushan Hi-Tech Zone Administrative Committee
Published: 8 January, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

Vilma Oil Med boosts bunkering operations at Port of Ceuta

Expansion includes an increase in storage capacity, a broader bunker fuel offering including HSFO, VLSFO and MGO and a IMO II chemical tanker capable of supplying biofuels up to B100.

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Vilma Oil Med boosts bunkering operations at Port of Ceuta

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Tuesday (6 January) said Spanish bunkering company Vilma Oil Med has expanded its bunkering operations at the Port of Ceuta, further strengthening its presence in the Strait of Gibraltar.

The expansion includes an increase in storage capacity to approximately 120,000 cubic metres, enhanced ex pipe delivery capability, a broader marine fuel offering including HSFO, VLSFO and MGO, and the addition of a new IMO II chemical tanker capable of supplying biofuels up to B100.

All deliveries will continue to be carried out using fully calibrated, ISO 22192 certified Mass Flow Meter systems. 

Ernesto Fernandez-Maquieira, Director, Vilma Oil Med, said: “We are pleased to grow our offering in the region and remain committed to continued investment in Ceuta, recognising its strategic importance in the Strait of Gibraltar and working closely with our partners to support its development as a competitive and innovative bunkering destination.” 

Manifold Times previously reported TFG Marine acquiring a majority stake in Vilma Oil Med.

Related: TFG Marine becomes majority owner of Spanish bunkering firm Vilma Oil Med
Related: TFG Marine to acquire majority ownership of Spanish bunkering firm Vilma Oil Med

 

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 7 January, 2026

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