Business

INSIGHT: Off-spec issues reveal ‘missing piece’ of Singapore bunker supply chain

Sources explain to Manifold Times the cause of recent supply issues at Singapore port and, more importantly, suggestions to fix this.

Published

8 years ago

April 26, 2018

Admin

Singapore-based bunker suppliers have been hit by off-spec issues of marine fuel at the port causing cargo loading congestion at terminals. This could be fixed through increased regulation of the entire bunker supply chain, say players familiar with the matter.

The supply chain for bunkering at Singapore port largely depends on arbitrage fuel imported by oil cargo traders/producers which store the product at oil terminals. This cargo will in turn be loaded by bunker suppliers on their bunker tanker at appointed oil storage terminals for deliveries to receiving client vessels.

However, a recent increase of off-spec bunker fuel cases in Singapore have caused players to question the traceability of oil material. Contracts between different terminals and suppliers seen by Manifold Times have indicated fuel quality and quantity measurements by terminals to be final and binding.

The documents suggest terminals having no obligation to attend to off-spec fuel cases after loading cargo onto a bunker tanker.

“Legally, the terminals have a ‘get out of jail free’ card and it seems that the traceability of off-spec bunker fuel stops at the bunker tanker,” shares a source adding “it is a ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ situation as bunker suppliers still need the cargo to do business.”

“Bunker suppliers in Singapore typically rely on the Certificate of Quality (COQ) given by the terminal or cargo trader/owner to deliver the bunkers to receiving vessels. However, if there is a problem with the fuel the vessels will come back to suppliers and make a claim against them.

“Suppliers will retest the sample whose seal numbers are indicated on the BDN to ascertain the issue; if it is true they have to arrange for either debunkering, use a fuel additive to make the product compliant, come to a commercial settlement, or report the matter to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) as a last resort.

"Bunker suppliers don't do blending; they just take the product from terminals and transport bunkers to the receiving ship. What terminals give, suppliers take. We are always on the losing end during off-spec cases."

Meanwhile, an operator in the bunkering industry notes the need for more transparent fuel sampling processes at terminals due to an alleged reluctance by terminals to openly share technical information.

“Terminals say they allow suppliers to witness shore tank sampling, but permission granted is in question. Also, it seems terminals do not reveal the distance from the jetty to shore tank,” he notes, while adding some terminals simply stick to taking samples from their shore tank, instead of the bunker manifold at the jetty or bunker tanker.

According to the operator, the pipeline between a shore tank and jetty can contain between 400 to 800 metric tonnes (mt) of fuel depending on size and distance.

“The amount of oil left in the pipeline represents a significant quantity for a bunker tanker which loads only a few thousand metric tonnes when compared to larger oil tankers; it is also the reason why bunker tankers are more sensitive to leftover fuel (from the previous loading) and need to know more technical details.”

Policies such as TR48, SS600, and SS524, also known as the Standard for Quality Management for Bunker Supply Chain (QMBS), introduced by the Singapore bunkering community further do not protect local physical suppliers of marine fuel from the unregulated oil storage terminal sector.

“SS524 talks about quality supply chain so effectively this should also involve onshore oil storage terminal; if SS524 was stretched to the shore terminal sector these off-spec bunker fuel cases may not occur,” he says.

“Shipowners, as bunker buyers, don’t care where the fuel source is from and go after suppliers during an off-spec situation; the MPA, which licenses bunker suppliers, also go after suppliers as well as they can’t go after the oil terminals because they cannot regulate terminals or cargo players.

“If SS524 included the terminals sector, the bunkering industry can at least obtain proper sampling from the loading manifold near the bunker tanker where oil terminal rep and crew can witness. Today, most of the loading sample given to bunker tankers are not witnessed by crew. This is a big problem and challenge.”

The off-spec issues, meanwhile, has left certain Singapore oil terminals not being able to offer compliant cargoes. This has led to bunker suppliers contracted to the non-operating facilities heading to other oil terminals to load cargoes, creating a chain effect leading to terminal congestion.

A survey conducted by Manifold Times found at least half a dozen off-spec bunker cases suffered by Singapore suppliers due to either cat fines or low flash point parameters. The total volume of off-spec fuel was estimated to be at least 20,000 mt.

"This ultimately puts Singapore at risk and a disadvantage because the quality of bunkers coming from the state country is questionable,” says a respondent to the survey.

“We are approaching 2020 and most of the low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) are blended products; so how are we going to assure the shipping industry that this problem will not come to existence come 2020?"

Published: 26 April, 2018

Business

Singapore: Singamas Petroleum Trading welcomes newbuild “Pacific Wise” to bunkering fleet

The 6,948 dwt Yanmar-powered marine refuelling vessel has a carrying capacity of 6,603 mt and is capable of operation on B100 biofuel.

Published

1 day ago

July 24, 2026

Admin

Singapore accredited bunker supplier Singamas Petroleum Trading Pte Ltd (Singamas) on 15 June welcomed its newly built Singapore-flagged bunker tanker Pacific Wise (SB2777C) to its bunkering fleet.

The Yanmar-powered marine refuelling vessel, which has a carrying capacity of 6,603 metric tonnes (mt), is capable of operation on B100 biofuel.

Pacific Wise joins Singamas’s current bunkering fleet comprising of Pacific Sincere, Pacific Honour, and Pacific Pride at Singapore port.

“The successful approval of Pacific Wise represents an important milestone in the sustainable growth of our company,” Eric Loke, Chief Operating Officer of Singamas, told Manifold Times.

“Their collective efforts have enabled Pacific Wise to enter commercial service successfully.

“As Pacific Wise commences operations, we remain committed to delivering safe, reliable and high-quality bunkering services while supporting Singapore’s position as the world’s leading bunkering hub.

“We look forward to serving our customers with the highest standards of safety, compliance, operational excellence and customer service.”

Pacific Wise 2 MT

Alex Ow Yong, BBM, Adviser to Singamas, highlighted the development further strengthens Singamas’ commitment to provide safe, reliable and efficient bunker delivery services while upholding the highest standards of safety, operational excellence and regulatory compliance for marine fuel deliveries at Singapore port.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), China Classification Society (CCS), our shipyard, consultants, business partners and all stakeholders for their invaluable guidance, professionalism and strong support throughout the construction, classification, registration and approval process,” he stated.

Photo credit: Singamas Petroleum Trading
Published: 24 July 2026

Business

Singapore-based law firm Helmsman names Lin Yan Yan as Chief Executive Officer

Lin joins with over 15 years of senior leadership experience across Asia, most recently as Vice President at ONE Championship, Asia’s largest global sports media property.

Published

1 day ago

July 24, 2026

Admin

Singapore-based law firm Helmsman names Lin Yan Yan as Chief Executive Officer

Singapore-based multi-disciplinary law firm Helmsman LLC on Friday (24 July) announced the appointment of Lin Yan Yan as Chief Executive Officer.

Lin’s appointment took effect in June 2026.

Lin joined the company from ONE Championship, Asia’s largest global sports media property, where she served as Vice President with cross-functional responsibility across corporate development, commercial, and corporate affairs.

At ONE Championship, she led global teams, drove market expansion, and spearheaded strategic initiatives including the global distribution of ONE’s media rights worldwide, the structuring and closing of commercial partnerships with leading media, brand and government organisations, the launch and scaling of new business lines, and fundraising across multiple financing rounds. She also led ONE’s Analytics & Insights function and oversaw the organisation’s China business.

Earlier in her career, Lin was a strategy consultant at L.E.K. Consulting before transitioning into principal investing roles at Mission Holdings, VisVires Capital Asia, and Volta Circle. She began her professional career as a litigation lawyer at Drew & Napier LLC.

Lin holds an MBA from INSEAD, an LLB (Hons) from the National University of Singapore, and has completed MIT’s Applied Data Science Program. She is admitted as an Advocate & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore and is fluent in Mandarin.

Ian Teo, Managing Director, Helmsman, said: “We are delighted to welcome Yan Yan to Helmsman as our Chief Executive Officer. Yan Yan joins Helmsman at an exciting stage of the firm’s growth.

“Her record of building and running complex organisations across Asia, combined with her deep commercial and strategic instincts, makes her exceptionally well-placed to lead the firm through its next chapter. We look forward to the energy and vision she brings to this role.”

Photo credit: Helmsman
Published: 24 July, 2026

LNG Bunkering

Stabilis Solutions targets Q3 2028 launch for Galveston LNG bunkering facility

Firm received a LOR from US Coast Guard following a review of a LNG Facility and associated waterfront LNG loading, marine transportation, and LNG bunkering operations in the Port of Galveston.

Published

1 day ago

July 24, 2026

Admin

Stabilis Solutions targets Q3 2028 launch for Galveston LNG bunkering facility

Clean energy production solutions provider Stabilis Solutions (Stabilis) on Friday (24 July) said the proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is anticipated to be in production by the third quarter of 2028.

It will come complete with the delivery of the first new-build, dedicated Jones Act-compliant LNG bunker barge in the Galveston/Houston area.

“This is a significant regulatory and project milestone for Stabilis,” the company said.

This comes following Stabilis receiving a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from the US Coast Guard following their formal review of the proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility and associated waterfront LNG loading, marine transportation, and LNG bunkering operations in the Port of Galveston.

“This critical endorsement of our project from the USCG Captain of the Port to the Port of Galveston and the Galveston Fire Marshal comes after a rigorous safety and security review process,” it said.

“This included a comprehensive evaluation of the potential risks, including navigation hazards, vessel traffic density impacts, emergency response capabilities, maritime security threats, and application of appropriate mitigation measures.”

Manifold Times previously reported Stabilis terminating a previously announced 10-year agreement with a leading investment-grade global marine operator to supply LNG from the company’s proposed 350,000 gallon-per-day Galveston liquefaction facility.

As a result, the company expected delays to the anticipated final investment decision, project financing, and development timeline for the Galveston LNG facility.

Photo credit: Stabilis Solutions
Published: 24 July, 2026