Asia/Pacific News
IBIA Finalises SOP for Surveyors in Singapore to Harmonise Approach to MFMs
The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) today announced it has finalised a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to help bunker surveyors identify their responsibilities when overseeing bunker deliveries involving Mass Flow Meters (MFMs) in Singapore.
"The SOP has been developed to address industry concerns and benefit all parties in the bunkering supply chain, and build trust in this new operating paradigm as Singapore moves toward the mandatory use of MFMs for supply of marine fuel oil (MFO)," IBIA explained.
The SOP project was initiated by Capt Rahul Choudhuri of VPS when he took over as Chairman of the Executive Committee for IBIA in Asia in February this year, and together with IBIA (Asia) Regional Manager Simon Neo, Douglas Raitt of Lloyd’s Register FOBAS, Darajit Daud of SGS and Michael Green of Intertek ShipCare produced a first draft which was presented to the industry in April.
Following wider industry consultation on subsequent drafts, a Bunker Surveyor Sub-Committee established in July, chaired by Raitt, has now completed the SOP which all the surveying companies in Singapore will be invited to adopt.
The SOP has been designed to work within Singapore’s TR 48 technical standard for MFMs, which became mandatory for deliveries involving MFMs on June 1, 2016, ahead of the mandated use of MFMs for all MFO deliveries on January 1, 2017.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has been consulted and kept informed throughout the process, IBIA added.
A Big Challenge
"We took up a big challenge in trying to develop this SOP, which would benefit the industry, from scratch," said Capt Rahul.
"Getting competitors to work together to develop this SOP shows the true value of an independent association like IBIA. Having MPA and SPRING Singapore acknowledge this work shows the respect for our expertise."
MFMs are not “plug & play” devices, there are complexities that need to be recognised and this SOP addresses that, Capt Rahul added.
Raitt, meanwhile, said that Surveyors have been apprehensive about the introduction of MFM systems.
"It has cast doubt on their role in monitoring bunker deliveries, in particular because checking and verifying delivered quantity is typically such an important part of their job," he said.
"But even with certified MFMs used during bunker deliveries, there is a comprehensive list of checks required where surveyors will be able to offer valuable support to the ship’s chief engineer.
"We believe the SOP demonstrates the continued relevance of surveyors who will be specifically trained and qualified to perform all the relevant checks. If, for example, a seal is broken, compromising the integrity of the MFM system, the presence of a surveyor can help document this and assist the owner in the event of any disputes."
IBIA says the Bunker Surveyor Sub-Committee is now looking into other aspects of training and product enhancement for bunker surveyors to help them increase their knowledge and standards.
"IBIA’s Singapore office, which was set up in 2005, has established itself as the voice for the bunker industry here in Singapore," said Regional manager Simon Neo.
"Its membership encompasses all parties involved in the bunkering industry, including ship owners, charterers, bunker suppliers, traders, barge operators, surveyors and marine lawyers.
"Besides engaging the industry, and providing training for the industry to improve its standards, we also provide yearly bursaries to enable students from less privileged backgrounds attend Nanyang Technological University in Singapore."
Although the SOP for bunker surveyors in relation to MFM bunker deliveries has been developed for Singapore, IBIA said it is hoped that it will provide a building block for SOPs in other bunkering ports as MFM technology becomes more widely adopted.
