Bunkering rules need better enforcement

That is according to the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), which says that mandatory use of Mass Flow Meters (MFMs) for marine fuel oil deliveries and quantities in Singapore is not always being enforced.

IBIA said that it has been made aware of many suspected MFM regulation breaches since the new regulation came into effect on 1 January 2017.

“The regulation was widely perceived to be a significant step forward in promoting greater transparency and ensuring the accuracy of delivered tonnage in the port, but it hasn’t all been plain sailing,” the association said.

Breaches include the revocation of Panoil’s licence at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) after unauthorised alterations to pipelines on board its five bunker tankers were made.

Bunkering concerns

Another area of concern IBIA has affects suppliers and bunker craft operators, but falls outside of the MPA’s jurisdiction. It involves the potential for variations in delivery volumes between Singapore oil terminals and bunker tankers.

Bunker tankers have to accept the delivery volume recorded by the terminals and IBIA has been informed that MFM-equipped bunker tankers have experienced discrepancies which put bunker craft operators at a disadvantage.

A cross industry group including IBIA, SPRING Singapore, the Singapore Shipping Association and the Singapore Chemical Industry Council is in dialogue with relevant bodies governing the Singapore terminals in an effort to resolve these issues. The MPA is also involved in these discussions.

IBIA said this is imperative to preserve Singapore’s hard-fought reputation as one of the world’s leading and most reliable bunker ports.