Singapore study confirms bunker benefits of using mass flow metering

Events of the past 12 months have placed an unparalleled burden on the marine industry. Operational efficiency and value for money – never far from the minds of shippers on any given day – have sat front and centre of the sector’s thinking like never before. Fortunately, there’s some good news for the prudent vessel operator.

A new Singapore study into the effectiveness of mass flow metering systems (MFMS) has once again underlined the financial benefits of using the technology. Singapore's standards for bunkering, which include the mandatory use of an MFMS, could be saving the industry as much as $146 million a year, claims the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA). According to its data, reduced bunkering operational costs account for up to 76% of the overall reduction with lessened bunker disputes making up the remainder.

The research also revealed that that some ship owners had reduced their inventory spot checks for on-board fuel due to the increased certainty in the quantity of bunkers received. A number added that inventory management had improved for the same reason. Those are benefits that any vessel operators would be happy to experience, especially when margins are tight and freight rates suppressed.

Significant cost benefits

The Singapore research once again underlines the benefits of using an MFMS. Tests show that they enhanced integrity, security and efficiency of fuel measurement while also delivering significant cost benefits and time savings – offering the potential to save up to three hours per delivery, depending on stem size. Given the current trading climate, these are benefits that vessel operators cannot afford to pass up.

ExxonMobil operates MFMS for marine gas oil (MGO) and fuel oil in Singapore. This provides increased transparency, reducing the uncertainties associated with density, temperature and other factors like tank geometry to deliver a reliable and consistent bunkering experience. We also supply ECA-compliant ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50™ marine fuel via an independently accredited mass flow metering system (MFMS) in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region, an industry first.

The move, which builds on the successful implementation of MFMS in Singapore, Hong Kong and France, meets the needs of customers for quicker, more efficient and more transparent bunkering without compromising on safety. The ARA implementation, which is accredited by Lloyd’s Register, cements ExxonMobil’s leading position in the use of MFMS for all residual and distillate types of marine fuels.

During this period of uncertainty, ExxonMobil’s advice to vessel operators remains the same: ask your fuel suppliers what they are doing to enhance bunker transparency. There’s a difference between measuring well and measuring correctly.

To discover more about ExxonMobil’s MFMS offer and the benefits it delivers, click here.