IBIA develops standard operating procedures for surveyors

Singapore is leading the world with its new regulation mandating the use of mass flow metering during bunker deliveries, and the introduction of the Technical Reference for Bunkering mass flow metering to support implementation.

The new regulation has been driven by the need to increase the overall efficiency of the bunker fuel delivery process, while improving the overall port bunkering capacity and port efficiency, increasing productivity and reducing administrative processes.

The transition will be challenging, and so to support the new regulatory requirements, IBIA is developing standard operating procedures (SOP) for bunker surveyors to standardise practice for bunker delivery by mass flow meter to vessel.

The guidelines have been drafted with the practical input of several bunker surveying companies, and will be opened to broader consultation in the near future, with the intention that the SOP will be promoted and adopted as operational best practice across the industry once agreed.

Peter Hall, CEO IBIA says: ‘The development and adoption of SOP’s 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 has already been presented to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Bunker Forum. This is the very first time such guidelines have been developed for surveyors and the initial feedback is positive. We hope to push this forward relatively quickly as it really will add significant value and improve working practices across the industry’.

If you would like to be involved in the wider consultation process or would like more information about the SOP’s for surveyors, please contact IBIA in Asia’s Regional Manager Simon Neo on (65) 6472 0916 or regionalmanagerasia@ibia.net

The standard operating procedures and the requirements are not meant to supersede any agreement or guidelines contained in any contract, or applicable recommended practices of regulatory or standard bodies, or to conflict with safety and environmental considerations or local conditions, they are simply to develop and promote industry best practice.