Asia/Pacific News
Hong Kong Launches Scheme to Promote Mass Flow Meters in Bunkering
Hong Kong has launched a new quality bunker operator scheme to encourage bunker suppliers to install mass flow meter (MFM) systems on their bunker vessels.
Under the voluntary scheme, operators supplying conventional marine fuels and biofuels can apply to be added to a list of approved quality bunker vessels, the Maritime Department (MD) said in an announcement on Wednesday.
To qualify, their MFM systems must be inspected and certified to international standards.
MFMs measure fuel as it is delivered to a vessel and are widely seen as a more accurate and transparent alternative to traditional tank soundings.
Conventional tank measurements, taken using measuring tapes, can be vulnerable to both accidental errors and deliberate misreporting of delivered fuel volumes.
The use of MFMs has become increasingly common at major bunkering hubs.
Singapore has required the technology for conventional bunker deliveries since 2017, while Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges introduced mandates this year.
South Korea is also considering a similar requirement from next year.
The Marine Department said the scheme will improve transparency in bunkering operations and strengthen Hong Kong's position as a major bunkering hub.
Companies that join the scheme will receive official recognition and may benefit from greater customer confidence in their fuel delivery services.
The department also said it plans to require all methanol bunker vessels in Hong Kong to use MFM systems later this year as the industry prepares for wider adoption of alternative marine fuels.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 963.00 | 26.00 | 1351.50 | 10.50 |
| Rotterdam | 766.00 | 3.00 | 1446.00 | 11.50 |
| Houston | 817.00 | 11.50 | 1421.00 | 1.00 |
| Fujairah | 981.00 | 12.00 | 1768.50 | 17.50 |
| APAC Average | 1029.50 | 32.00 | 1478.50 | 13.50 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 929.50 | 10.50 | 1565.00 | 13.00 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 882.00 | 13.50 | 1496.50 | 9.50 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 978.50 | 20.00 | 1616.50 | 18.50 |
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