SSA forms new Marine Fuels Committee

In addition to addressing bunkering operational issues which were previously addressed by SSA’s Bunkering Sub-Committee, the Marine Fuels Committee will also look into such issues as preparing Singapore’s bunkering sector for the 0.5% global sulphur cap and the rise of LNG as a marine fuel.

“Bunkering has always been a very important segment of our industry, and issues relating to bunker and marine fuels in general have grown increasingly complex. As such, in the anticipation that owners will take an increasing interest in what their ships consume, we have formed the Marine Fuels Committee to help ensure that our members will be well-prepared for the future,” said Esben Poulsson, president of SSA.

Singapore is the world’s largest bunkering port selling a record 48.5m tonnes in 2016.

Since the start of 2017, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) mandated the use of mass flow meters for bunker deliveries within Singapore port waters, raising operational efficiency and transparency in fuel custody transfers.

SSA noted that there has also been increasing interest in the field of marine fuels in general, including the use of alternatives such as LNG. This is due in large part to commercial and regulatory interest in issues such as the pending 0.5% sulphur cap, which will come into force in 2020, and the increasing interest in fuel consumption for ships, and how it might impact their CO2 emissions.