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OW Bunker, one of the world’s leading physical distributors and resellers of marine fuels, today announced that it has achieved "significant efficiency benefits" following the commencement of distributing fuel oil with a Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)-approved Coriolis flow meter on board its latest barge in Singapore, the Marine Noel [pictured].

"The time to supply bunkers, which normally takes between seven and eight hours has been reduced by 50 percent by using the Coriolis Flow Meter, providing customers with significant time, and therefore, cost savings," OW Bunker said in an emailed statement.

Sinanju Tankers Pte Ltd installed the MPA-approved Coriolis flow meter on Marine Noel - a 2012-built, 4,700 deadweight tonnage (dwt) barge in June 2014. OW Bunker says that in the two months since distribution started, "significant efficiency benefits" have been achieved. This includes removing potentially problematic manual processes and human error; ensuring any inefficient levels of air entrapment can immediately be detected and dealt with; delivering "unparalleled transparency and accuracy", which eliminates disputes and claims and the additional time associated with this.

The company claims that the bunkering process for the distribution of a typical 1,000-metric-tonne (mt) stem, which normally takes between seven and eight hours, has been halved to three to four hours.

"Reducing the time to bunker by 50 percent provides our customers with significant time and cost savings," said Søren Christian Meyer, Vice President – Physical Distribution, OW Bunker.

"For example, a one year time charter for a very large crude carrier (VLCC), which has an average day rate of about US$24,000, will save up to US$4,000 in terms of time when bunkering with a Coriolis flow meter. That's a significant amount in any market, and highlights the positive impact that marine fuel distributors can have on driving efficiencies into our customers' operations."

OW Bunker has pioneered the use of Coriolis flow meters on its global fleet. In June 2013, the company completed its first physical supply using a Coriolis flow meter in Singapore.

"This is part of OW Bunker’s strategy to expand and deliver real value for its customers from its physical distribution operations on a global basis," the company said.

Image: OW Bunker's barge in Singapore, the Marine Noel.