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Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)

Opening remarks by Capt M. Segar, Assistant Chief Executive (Operations), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) at the launch of TR48: 2015 (Technical Reference for Bunker Mass Flow Metering) on February 16.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning.

I am pleased to be here at the launch of the world's first Technical Reference for Bunker Mass Flow Metering.

2. This Technical Reference will harmonize all delivery procedures and set out clear roles and responsibilities for our bunkering frontline officers. The launch today marks yet another important milestone in the development and growth of our bunkering industry in Singapore.

3. On behalf of SPRING Singapore, Singapore Chemical Industry Council, Singapore Standards Council, and MPA, I welcome you, and thank you for your presence.

Singapore's Bunker Sales Performance in 2015

4. You may have read in the media that our bunker sales achieved a record high 45.16 million tonnes in 2015. This is an increase of 6.46% as compared to 2014. This achievement is only possible because of the strong support from all the stakeholders. The other contributing factor is our collective commitment to ensure that Singapore sets a high standard in the delivery of bunker fuel in our port.

Current State of the MFM Project

5. Bunkering is, and will remain, an important component of Maritime Singapore. To safeguard Singapore's position as a premier bunkering port of choice, we need to continuously improve our service level. In April 2014, MPA announced that we will be mandating the use of the Mass Flow Meters for Marine Fuel Oil delivery from 1 Jan 2017. It is heartening to note that even before the mandatory use of mass flow meters from January 2017, already more than 500,000 metric tonnes of bunkers were already being delivered every month via bunker tankers equipped with MPA-approved Mass Flow Meters.

6. Today, I am confident to share with you that we are well on track to meet this deadline. I am also pleased to report that we now have 64 bunker tankers approved for mass flow meter delivery. By the end of 2016, we will have all bunker tankers installed with the MPA-approved Mass Flow Metering system to deliver Marine Fuel Oil in the Port of Singapore.

Enforcing the Technical Reference

7. The TR 48:2015 will come into force with effect from 1 June 2016. With this Technical Reference, all licensed bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators and bunker surveyors are to adhere to the requirements outlined in it.

8. Existing approved bunker tanker-specific procedures will also be replaced by this Technical Reference. MPA will be issuing a Port Marine Circular (PMC) with more details for the industry.

9. We also recognise the importance of equipping our bunkering personnel with the skills and knowledge to perform their work effectively. In this regard, MPA is working closely with training service providers to roll out Mass Flow Meter training courses. These courses will equip our bunker cargo officers and bunker surveyors with the relevant knowledge and competencies to carry out their work. Details of the mandatory courses will be made available soon.

Driving productivity

10. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you one of the other main benefits of the mass flow metering system. This system enhances transparency and improves operational efficiency of bunker tankers. From our trials, the mass flow meters can shorten each bunker delivery by as much as 3 hours compared to the conventional sounding method. With more than 64,000 bunkering operations conducted in 2015 or 170 bunkering operations per day, the collective time savings will be significant and will be of great benefit to the industry.

11. Looking ahead, MPA will continue to focus our efforts to further increase the productivity of the bunkering industry. We are currently working to test-bed an electronic bunker delivery note (E-BDN) mobile application that would allow near real-time transfer of bunkering information. We have received positive feedback from the Technical Committee for Bunkering on the technical and operational aspect of this project and will be conducting trials this year. We welcome industry feedback and participation in this test bedding programme. We are also working to widen the WI-FI connectivity in our port waters.

Conclusion

12. MPA remains committed to the continued development of Singapore as a premier bunkering port of choice. The bunkering industry in Singapore has grown significantly over the years and I am confident that with the various stakeholders working together, the bunkering industry in Singapore will continue to thrive and grow in the years to come.

13. On this note, I would like to thank SPRING Singapore, Singapore Standards Council, Singapore Chemical Industry Council and all members of the Technical Committee and Work Groups for their hours of hard work leading to the fruition of this Technical Reference.

14. I wish all of you a very fruitful session ahead.

15. Thank you.