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An ExxonMobil-chartered bunker tanker is the first in Singapore to use a mass flow metering system that has been approved by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) for bunker fuel transfers. The custody transfer between the bunker tanker MT Emissary and Kota Layang took place on 11 July, 2012.

The transfer followed approvals received from MPA on 1 June this year, for the adoption of the mass flow metering system by MT Emissary for the custody transfer of bunker fuels to vessels in the port of Singapore.

"The transfer of bunkers using the mass flow metering system as another official custody measurement of bunker quantity is a significant milestone for the bunkering industry in Singapore. As the world's largest bunkering port, Singapore sees more than 40 million tonnes in bunker sales each year. It is important for us to leverage on technology to further enhance the efficiency and transparency of the bunker delivery process. We have set aside $1 million from the Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund to support further research, development and test-bedding of mass flow meters for bunkering applications," said Dr Parry Oei, MPA's Director for Port Services.

ExxonMobil Marine Fuels (EMMF) has been actively involved in a working group comprising various industry stakeholders, led by MPA and SPRING Singapore, to develop and validate the use of a reliable and accurate system for mass flow meters in bunkering operations in Singapore.

Prior to the custody transfer, the mass flow meter was verified and sealed by the Weights and Measures Office (WMO) under SPRING Singapore. EMMF, bunker tanker-owner Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd, MPA and SPRING Singapore, also worked, in close consultation with a cross section of industry and technical experts, in a collaborative working group, to develop the mass flow metering system and procedures for bunker deliveries by MT Emissary. Several trials were said to be successfully carried out on MT Emissary to validate the performance and ensure the integrity of the system, before MPA gave the final approval.

Mr. Seah Khen Hee, the key convenor of the working group, said: "The activities of the group, together with MPA, SPRING and in partnership with ExxonMobil, support the validation and endorsement of a mass metering option for the bunker industry in Singapore with tangible benefits for both deliverer and customer in the form of a secure and accurate system, enhanced transparency, improved efficiency and cost effectiveness."

ExxonMobil Marine Fuels' Asia Pacific General Manager Damon Davis commented: "We are proud to be the first supplier in Singapore to launch a mass flow metering system that has been approved by MPA for the commercial transfer of bunker fuel."

He added: "Technology, coupled with expertise and knowledge of the bunkering process, has allowed us to elevate measurement integrity to a new level. ExxonMobil is constantly evolving to better serve our customers and we believe that the mass flow metering solution will further increase the efficiency and transparency of the bunkering process."