Asia/Pacific News
IBIA: Almost All Licenced Singapore Fuel Oil Barges Are Fitted with MFMs
The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) says Singapore is well positioned for the implementation of mandated use of mass flow metering (MFM) systems for marine fuel oil (MFO) deliveries from January 1, 2017, noting that almost all fuel oil barges with a license to operate in Singapore now have approved MFM systems installed.
"We are expecting around 130 MPA-approved MFM bunker tankers to serve the port from 1 January 2017 onwards," Md Elfian Harun, Assistant Director of Bunker Services at Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), said in November.
Harun noted that 117, or 88 percent of fuel oil barges in Singapore had approved MFM systems as of early November.
IBIA says 98 percent of fuel oil barges registered in Singapore are expected to be prepared for compliance with the new requirement.
"The new requirement means the MFM volume reading becomes binding when bunkering fuel oil in Singapore," explained IBIA.
"It is expected to reduce scope for quantity disputes because the MPA approved systems have been rigorously tested and should be tamper proof."
Earlier this year, the TR48 standard for mass flow metering was officially launched by MPA.
In September, Ship & Bunker reported that unnamed industry sources had once again been quoted in the media as predicting the mandatory use of MFMs in Singapore from January 1, 2017, will cause bunker prices in the port to rise, and drive volumes elsewhere.
