IBIA’s guidelines have been developed in direct response to the introduction of the Singapore Mass Flow Meter (MFM) Technical Reference (TR 48:2015), which was launched on 16th February, 2016, in support of the mandatory use of MFM systems for all marine fuel oil deliveries in Singapore from 1st January, 2017.
The Marine and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) requires all bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators and bunker surveyors to comply with the requirements and procedures of TR 48:2015 as of 1st June, 2016 when using bunker tankers where MFM systems are already installed.
These new requirements will increase the overall efficiency of the bunker fuel delivery process, while improving the port bunkering capacity and port efficiency, increasing productivity and reducing administrative processes. Singapore has implemented the changes now but ports around the world will follow, IBIA said.
The association said that the transition will be challenging, which is why IBIA has developed the SOP for bunker surveyors, to support the new regulatory requirements and to standardise practice for bunker delivery by mass flow meter to vessel.
Peter Hall, CEO IBIA, said: “The development and adoption of SOP for surveyors will go a long way towards building trust in the market and underlines IBIA's commitment to education and professional best practice. The draft document was presented at the MPA Singapore Bunker Forum on 22nd April, 2016.
“This is the very first time such guidelines have been developed for surveyors and the feedback is positive. We hope to push this forward quickly as it really will add significant value and improve working practices across the industry,” he said.