Singapore Launches Mass Flow Metering Standard
Singapore’s MPA has released the world’s first National Technical Reference for Bunker Mass Flow Metering (TR48: 2015). The reference supports the port authority’s initiative to use mass flow meters for marine fuel oil deliveries in Singapore with effect from January 1, 2017.
The reference sets out clear requirements for measurement and system integrity that provides a fair basis for custody transfer between the bunker supplier and bunker buyer in Singapore, said the MPA in a statement.
Bunkering in Singapore has grown tremendously since standardized bunker delivery procedures were adopted in the early 1990s. MPA has reported record bunker sales volume of 45.16 million metric tons (mt) in 2015, making Singapore the world's largest bunkering port.
The adoption of the mass flow metering system for bunkering at the Port of Singapore, commencing with the first system approved under the project in 2012, will provide both the bunker buyers and suppliers with better assurance of the quantity of bunker delivered.
“The mass flow metering system has a number of key benefits; most importantly transparency, efficiency and security,” said Wong Suan, Regional Sales Manager of ExxonMobil Asia Pacific. “It can also help marine vessel operators save up to an estimated three hours and $5,000 per refuelling. Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in innovation that can help to set new standards of transparency and reliability for fuel measurement, throughout each stage of the supply chain.”
Teo Choo Wee, Executive Director of Pacific International Lines, said: “80 percent of Pacific International Lines’ total bunker consumption comes from Singapore. The use of mass flow meters has enabled us to shorten the time for receiving bunkers at Singapore, and as a result, improve our vessels' service efficiency.”
TR48 has been developed under the auspices of the Technical Committee for Bunkering of the Chemical Standards Committee (CSC). The CSC is one of the 12 Standards Committees of the industry-led Singapore Standards Council set up by SPRING Singapore, the national standards body.
“The Technical Committee for Bunkering pioneered TR 48, a new bunker fuel measurement standard, for the benefit of the bunkering industry in Singapore. This TR ushers bunker fuel measurement into the digital age and will help Singapore’s efforts to maintain its position as the world’s top bunkering port in terms of tonnage,” said Seah Khen Hee, Chairman, Technical Committee for Bunkering.
A fact sheet is available here.