World’s Largest Bunker Hub, Singapore, To Mandate Digital Bunkering For Fuel Suppliers

Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub, plans to modernize its ship fueling operations by mandating all marine fuel suppliers switch to digital bunkering services starting April 01, 2025.

Amy Khor, Singapore’s senior minister of state for transport, confirmed the move in her speech during the 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON) 2024.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) stated that Singapore will be the first global port to mandate the use of electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDNs) for all bunkering operations.

The switch to digital bunkering is estimated to save the industry roughly 40,000 man-days annually by digitizing fuel supply and related documentation, greatly reducing manual processes.

The initiative comes from successful trials that started in November 2023. Several bunker suppliers, including the top ten in Singapore, participated.

The adoption of digital systems enables faster data transmission between fuel buyers and suppliers, strengthening accountability, ensuring regulatory compliance, and reducing the risk of fraud.

The process becomes faster and safer by replacing paperwork with digital forms like electronic bunker delivery notes and checklists.

Singapore’s MPA will also reduce business costs by adjusting its verification process for mass flow meters (MFM), which measure fuel delivery during bunkering, from twice a year to only once, starting in April 2025.

Per the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the change in the MFM process aligns with the updated SS648:2024 standards and will help the industry save around $300,000 annually.

Risk-based audits will continue to ensure that transitions are seamless and efficient.

The shift toward digitalization follows the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s formal approval in July 2023, which confirmed that bunker delivery notes can be issued in either digital or hard copy mode.

With the official launch of digital bunkering in November 2023, Singapore strengthened its position as a trusted and efficient global leader in the bunkering industry.

References: MPA, Reuters

World’s Largest Bunker Hub, Singapore, To Mandate Digital Bunkering For Fuel Suppliers appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News