Being one of the busiest seaports in the world, Singapore caters to a large number of vessels on a daily basis. In Singapore, oil bunkering is a massive industry and there are a couple well-established hubs in this region. Jurong Island and Singapore Harbor are the primary locations for shipping vessels visiting this country. The oil hubs in this region are set up by reputed fuel suppliers to serve the requirements of fishing boats, cruise ships, cargo vessels, ocean-going yachts, and research vessels. These services are managed by Maritime Port Authority or MPA in Singapore. The operations of bunkering companies must comply with the standard practices and regulations specified by MPA.
There is a well laid out sampling procedure to be followed for oil bunkering in Singapore. Every tanker docking at its ports should ensure that it is following the bunker code sampling procedure specified by the authorities. It includes proper inspection of sampling instruments to maintain cleanliness. The process of sampling should be carried out simultaneously with bunkering operations.
During this time, the authorities tend to consistently take a drip sample and it might also be necessary that the sample industrial labels should be strictly checked. The authorities conduct inspections to make sure that the seals and needle valve of sampling container have not been tampered with. A cargo officer is appointed to inspect the entire procedure carefully.
Shipping vessels are advised to buy bunker fuel from a trusted supplier that complies with the rules laid out in this regard. Here are some other important factors to bear in mind:
Check Certifications:
When looking for oil bunkering in Singapore, you should work with a supplier that has certifications from leading organizations. Companies are given these certificates for providing the best bunkering facilities and service to the different types of vessels.
Check the Types of Fuel:
The fuel requirements of the maritime industry vary as per their specific operations. Therefore, you should choose a company that supplies a wide range of marine fuels including intermediate fuel oil, automotive diesel fuel, marine gas oil, unleaded gasoline, and anhydrous ammonia.
Check the Fuel specs:
It is important to choose the right specification of fuel to run your ship properly. Hence you should choose fuel with the correct grade and composition, supplied by a reputed company. Be sure to cross check the properties of the fuel manufactured by a brand for making a selection according to your requirements.
Check the Fuel Quality:
To reduce the carbon emission of marine fuels, the global maritime organizations recommend choosing the best quality fuel that is free of inorganic acids. It should have lower levels of sulfur content.
Apart from these, check the pricing of the fuel types and ensure that the company provides technical support for emergency situations.
