---

The port of Singapore's new bunker standards policy, the Singapore Standard 600 (SS 600), comes into force from today, replacing two existing bunkering standards - SS CP 60: 2004, which applies to bunkering by bunker tankers and SS CP 77: 1999, which applies to bunker surveying.

The aim of the new Code of Practice is to further enhance consistent practices in the delivery of bunkers for ships calling at Singapore’s port.

The new standard sets out guidelines and procedures to ensure that the correct quality and quantity of bunkers are being delivered safely and efficiently, and will be enforced by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) for all bunkering operations and bunker surveying works in Singapore.

In addition to obtaining a licence from MPA to conduct bunkering business in Singapore’s port, bunker suppliers, craft operators and surveyors will from today have to comply with SS 600 when carrying out their operations.

The standard will also serve as the technical basis for resolution, should there be any disputes.

In essence, SS 600 combines the requirements of SS CP 60 and SS CP 77 to form a single document for the bunkering industry, which will aim to streamline the documentation process, therefore making it easier for bunker players to ensure compliance.

Significant changes in the new standard include:-

(i) The requirement to make declaration on the Bunker Delivery Note that the bunker fuel supplied meets the regulations of Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78. This requirement will aim to provide bunker buyers with greater confidence that the fuel supplied to them in the port of Singapore is fully compliant with international regulations.

(ii) In order to further promote sample bottle security, the introduction of improved fuel sampling requirements will aim to further reduce the likelihood of sample tampering and fraud, thereby providing ship operators with greater assurance of fuel quality.

(iii) In an effort to reduce disputes there will be a standardisation of all bunkering documents such as Bunker Delivery Notes and Stock Movement Log Books etc.

An original copy of SS 600 shall be made available on board every bunker tanker for reference by the parties concerned.

Copies of SS 600 can be purchased from the following address:-
SNP Corporation Ltd
No. 1 Kim Seng Promenade
#18-01 Great World City, East Tower
Singapore 237994
E-Mail singaporestandardseshop@snpcorp.com
Tel (65) 6826 9691 Fax (65) 6820 3341