Asia/Pacific News
MPA Approves Mass Flow Meters for 2 Singapore Bunker Tankers
ExxonMobil Marine Fuels & Lubricants (ExxonMobil) said Monday two more of its chartered bunker tankers in Singapore have had mass flow metering systems approved by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), bringing the supplier's number of approved vessels to three.
According to the emailed press release, the system can save vessel operators up to three hours and $7,000 per delivery, and is "designed to enhance the integrity, security and efficiency of fuel quantity measurement."
"Recent media reports further highlight that fuel quantity shortages remain an on-going issue facing marine operators, and the expansion of ExxonMobil's mass flow metering capability will help to address this," said Iain White, field marketing manager for the fuel and lubricants division.
"With an average bunker delivery costing approximately US$600,000, the mass flow metering system helps ensure that marine operators get what they pay for."
The system was developed in collaboration with the MPA and the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (SPRING) Singapore.
The system measures fuel mass directly, eliminating problems associated with volume measurements and human error while also saving time.
The company said other benefits include increased traceability and transparency, as measurement data is logged throughout the entire delivery process.
The system also has calibrated, certified meter tamper-evident seals fitted by Singapore authorities.
ExxonMobil said in June 2012 it was the first fuels supplier to adopt a mass flow metering system approved by the MPA, and the port authority recently announced that in the future it plans to make the use of flow meters mandatory for bunkering in Singapore.
Some in the industry have warned that bunker fraud is widespread and often difficult for ship owners and operators to thwart.
"Is the customer getting what he pays for" will be the underlying topic of debate at The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) conference starting today in Hong Kong.
