Launch of World’s First National Standard for Bunker Mass Flow Metering

The world’s first National Technical Reference for Bunker Mass Flow Metering (TR48 : 2015) was launched today in support of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)’s and industry’s initiative to use the mass flow metering (MFM) system for marine fuel oil deliveries in Singapore with effect from 1 January 2017. This TR 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.

Bunkering in Singapore has grown tremendously since standardised bunker delivery procedures were adopted in the early 1990s. MPA has reported record bunker sales volume of 45.16 million metric tonnes (mt) in 2015, making Singapore the world's largest bunkering port. This TR is crucial for the support of the further growth of Singapore’s bunkering industry.

The adoption of the mass flow metering system for bunkering at the Port of Singapore, commencing with the first MFM system approved under this project in 2012, will provide both the bunker buyers and suppliers with better assurance of the quantity of bunker delivered.

The adoption of the MFM system for bunkering at the Port of Singapore, commencing with the first MFM system approved under this 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. It can also help marine vessel operators save up to an estimated three hours [1] and US$5,000 [2] 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,” said Mr Wong Suan, Regional Sales Manager of ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.

"80% 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," said Mr Teo Choo Wee, Executive Director of Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd.

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. Driving growth and productivity are two of the key priority areas for standardisation work in Singapore.

“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 Mr Seah Khen Hee, Chairman, Technical Committee for Bunkering.

The multi-stakeholder Working Group appointed by the Technical Committee for Bunkering comprising SPRING, MPA, A*STAR and stakeholders from the marine, shipping and oil and gas industry completed this standard after extensive consultation with various stakeholders which included the MPA-coordinated trials. These initial trials had the benefit of key technical advice from both the Technical Committee and Working Group. The trials used mass flow meters that were verified and sealed by SPRING and the trials data were analysed by A*STAR’s National Metrology Centre (NMC) to determine the performance of the MFM system.

Opening remarks by Capt M Segar, Assitant Chief Executive (Operations), MPA

Welcome address by Ms Choy Sauw Kook, Assistant Chief Executive, Spring Singapore

For media enquiries, please contact:

Elane Ng

Assistant Manager

Standards Development Organisation

Singapore Chemical Industry Council Limited (SCIC)

Direct: 6267 8591

Mobile: 9191 3519

Email: elane@scic.sg

Marcus Soh

Executive

Singapore Chemical Industry Council Limited (SCIC)

Direct: 6267 8979

Mobile: 96174568

Email: marcus@scic.sg

Kristin Loo

Manager, Corporate Communications

SPRING Singapore

Direct: 6279 3644

Mobile: 9171 3322

Email: kristin_loo@spring.gov.sg

About SDO@SCIC

In 2011, SPRING Singapore appointed SCIC as the SDO for the Chemical Standards Committee (CSC), one of the 12 Standards Committees under the national Standards Council administered by SPRING Singapore. SDO@SCIC’s key functions are to manage national standards development projects under the CSC and encourage greater industry participation and awareness of standards. The CSC oversees 106 Singapore Standards and its key areas include bunkering, surface coatings, chemistry, nanotechnology, petroleum processes and products as well as water. Please visit  www.scic.sg for more information about SDO@SCIC.

The industry-led Singapore Standards Council (SSC) approves the establishment and withdrawal of Singapore Standards and advises SPRING Singapore, the national standards body, on the directions, policies, strategies and priorities for the Singapore Standardisation Programme. The Council has appointed 12 Standards Committees to lead standards development

and implementation in various functional areas. Under these Standards Committees, various Technical Committees and Working Groups, which comprise representatives from the industry, professional bodies, associations, academia and government agencies, are formed to undertake the preparation of standards. Please visit  www.spring.gov.sg/standards for more information on SSC.

SPRING Singapore is an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry responsible for helping Singapore enterprises grow and building trust in Singapore products and services. As the national standards and accreditation body, SPRING develops and promotes an internationally-recognised standards and quality assurance infrastructure. SPRING also oversees the safety of general consumer goods in Singapore. As the enterprise development agency, SPRING works with partners to help enterprises in financing, capability and management development, technology and innovation, and access to markets. Please visit www.spring.gov.sg for more information about SPRING Singapore.