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Singapore makes mass flow meters mandatory for distillates bunker delivery

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Singapore is enforcing the use of mass flow meters (MFMs) for all distillates bunker delivery from 1 July 2019, following on from the mandated use of MFM systems for heavy fuel oil delivery since the beginnning of 2017.

“With effect from 1 July 2019, it is also mandatory to use MPA-approved MFM system for all distillates bunker delivery,” Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) stated.

“The delivered quantity of distillates to ocean-going ships stated in the bunker delivery note (BDN) shall be based on the bunker tanker’s MFM system as witnessed by the cargo officer, the chief engineer and bunker surveyor, if engaged,” MPA said.

Distillates have low viscosity and low sulphur content that meets the IMO 2020 sulphur cap of 0.5%, while heavy fuel oil includes the commonly used 380 cst bunker grade with sulphur content of 3.5%.

Read more: MPA to extend use of MFM systems to distillate bunker tankers from July 2019

MPA has reminded all licensed bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators, bunker surveying companies and bunker surveyors to adhere to the terms and conditions of their bunker licences, and the requirements of the Technical Reference for Bunker Mass Flow Metering (TR 48:2015) for bunker delivery by MFM.

The latest MFM rule by MPA comes six months ahead of the IMO’s Marpol Annex VI regulation from 1 January 2020 when all ships will be required to burn bunkers with maximum sulphur content of 0.5%.

Read more: Singapore enters 2017 with mandatory use of mass flow meter bunkering