The use of mass flowmeters (MFM) for fuel oil bunkering in Singapore will be mandatory for bunker suppliers from January 1, 2017 onwards, says the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
"To safeguard Singapore's reputation as a top bunkering port in the world, we are taking the lead in being the first to mandate the use of mass flow meters," said Andrew Tan, the chief executive of MPA.
"It is a significant milestone for the bunkering industry in Singapore and it will strengthen our position in the long term as a reliable and trusted port for bunkering operations."
According to the MPA, all existing bunker tankers operating in port must be fitted with a MPA-approved MFM system for fuel oil delivery in the port of Singapore by December 31, 2016. Further, all new bunker tankers applying for the Harbour Craft (Bunker Tanker) licence after December 31, 2014 will be required to be fitted with a MPA-approved MFM system for fuel oil delivery.
A lump sum incentive of SGD $80,000 ($63,500), given to offset a portion of the adoption cost for the MFM system, will be offered to each existing bunker tanker delivering fuel oil in the port of Singapore. The incentive will be given out upon MPA's approval of each fitted MFM system. The average cost of a coriolis flow meter with flow measurement capacity of up to 1,000 metric tonnes per hour is around SGD $150,000, according to an industry source.
The decision to make MFM systems compulsory for bunkering is the result of a MFM Working Group formed in 2009, between MPA and Ministry of Trade and Industry agency SPRING Singapore, to develop and validate its use.
The working group, consists of members from the Weights and Measures Office (WMO) of SPRING Singapore, National Metrology Centre (NMC), MPA and various stakeholders in the bunkering industry.
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