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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has announced the implementation of enhanced testing parameters for marine fuel batches intended to be delivered as bunkers in the port of Singapore in addition to the existing quality assurance measures.
According to the MPA Port Marine Circular No.03 of 2024, these testing enhancements are intended to be carried out at the upstream supply chain for system efficiencies and cost effectiveness compared to doing so for each delivery.
Arising from the bunker contamination incident in Singapore in February 2022, where about 200 ships were supplied with High Sulfur Fuel Oil (HSFO) containing high levels of Chlorinated Organic Compounds (COC) in the Port of Singapore, an Industry Expert Group (IEG) co-chaired by the MPA and Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) was formed to strengthen the quality assurance of bunkers supplied in the Port of Singapore. The IEG had provided its recommendations to MPA in mid-2023.
Taking into account the recommendations and industry feedback, the following testing enhancements (to be carried out upstream) will be mandatory from 1 June 2024, in addition to existing quality assurance measures:
Residual marine fuels should also be free from polystyrene, polyethylene and polymethacrylate. For the general detection of these polymers, the fuel can be tested using a test method which consists of filtration, microscopic examination, and Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to qualitatively determine if they are present in the fuel.
It is recommended that all MPA licensed bunker suppliers maintain proper test records to indicate that the current batch of bunker fuel supplied as bunkers in the port of Singapore is free from these polymers. Bunker buyers are also encouraged to consult the bunker suppliers in advance and have proper contractual agreement for the quality of fuel bunkered. MPA is working with relevant agencies and stakeholders to enhance polymer testing capabilities and establish standardised test method for these polymers in Singapore.
For marine fuel which is blended using batches of different fuel or feedstock, the tests prescribed in Para 4 must be carried out after the blending, and before being delivered as bunkers in the Port of Singapore. Blending is not permitted on board the MPA licensed bunker craft and the COQ must be of the fuel prior loading to the bunker tanker before the product is delivered as bunkers in the port of Singapore.
For further details, as well as information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at [email protected]