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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has announced that it will be extending the mandatory use of mass flow meters (MFMs) to bunker tankers delivering distillates in the Port of Singapore from July 1, 2019.

The MPA's Assistant Chief Executive (Operations), Captain M. Segar, made the announcement at the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) Asia Gala Dinner, held last night, on April 26.

The move, which follows the compulsory use of MFM systems for marine fuel oil (MFO) deliveries from January 2017, is designed to enhance transparency in the bunkering process, improve operational efficiency and increase productivity.

To ensure that the MFM system was suitable for the delivery of distillates, the MFM Working Group - jointly initiated by the MPA and Enterprise Singapore and consisting of members from Weights and Measure Office (WMO) of Enterprise Singapore, National Metrology Centre @ A*Star (NMC) and various stakeholders in the bunkering industry - tested the system on five bunker tankers: Marine Pamela, Ocean Pioneer, Patimah, Sentek 25 and Wisdom. The tests were completed in October 2017.

With effect from July 1, 2019, all existing distillates bunker tankers supplying to ocean-going ships in Singapore must be fitted with an MPA-approved MFM system.

All new bunker tankers applying for the Harbour Craft (Bunker Tanker) licence will be required to have an MPA-approved MFM system installed.

Co-funding scheme

To defray part of the cost in installing the MFM system, companies may apply for co-funding of up to S$60,000 ($45,300) from the MPA for each existing bunker tanker delivering distillates in the Port of Singapore.

The MPA says it has set aside S$9 million ($6.8m) to co-fund this initiative and that, since 2014, it has invested close to S$17m ($12.8m) to help the industry adopt the use of MFMs for bunker deliveries at the Asian port.

Commenting on the news, Captain M. Segar said: "The industry has given positive feedback on the mandatory use of MFMs for MFO. As the world's top bunkering port, it is important that we continue to set the highest bunkering standards to ensure fuel quality and reliability and this can be achieved through the use of MFMs.

"This will also prepare the industry for an expected increase in delivery of distillates with the introduction of a 0.5% global sulphur cap from January 1, 2020 by the International Maritime Organization. We will continue to work closely with all our stakeholders to prepare the bunkering industry for the future."