Business

Singapore: Coriolis Master Meter for MFM verification garners international interest

Master meter will be used for verification operation of duty MFMs installed on board Singapore bunker tankers due for yearly re-validation, learns Manifold Times.

Published

6 years ago

February 18, 2020

Admin

The internal test of an Endress+Hauser Coriolis master meter which will be used by the Singapore bunkering industry for future verification/proving of its mass flow meters (MFMs) was being conducted at Jurong Port on Wednesday (5 February).

The master meter was utilised to carry out a performance verification test of the MFM unit installed on board Singapore bunker tanker Kantek 2.

The flow test, designed to identify and address the potential drift of MFM units, will reinforce the traceability and integrity of such systems used by Singapore’s MFM-equipped bunker tankers for fuel custody transfer.

Several delegates from Russia including representatives from PJSC Lukoil who came to the Republic to learn about the use of MFMs for bunkering and in particular, its MFM verification maintenance programme, witnessed the trial, learned Manifold Times.

The importance of MFM verification

Sergey Tyubekin and Andrey Kurochkin, both Chiefs at the Department of Metrology and Standardization of PJSC Lukoil, respectively overseeing the oil major’s downstream and upstream operations explained the importance of MFM verification to the Singapore bunkering publication.

“MFMs can be used by both supplier and buyer for the custody transfer of oil products, including marine fuel,” said Tyubekin and Kurochkin in a joint statement.

“Meter Verification or Meter Proving is a recurring periodical confirmation of the measuring instrument’s [MFM] compliance with its established requirements, including accuracy indicators.

“With reduced measurement errors, information related to the product’s parameters is more reliable from a custody transfer point of view.”

In reality, determining the true value during measurements is more complex due to external operating conditions.

“Environmental conditions such as precipitation and ambient temperature, process/product conditions and/or construction design features such as wear out of certain parts, and more, can lead to increased measurement uncertainty during operation,” both explained.

“Meter Verification or Meter Proving of MFMs allow these systematic errors to be detected and eliminated or reduced to acceptable values.”

Depending on the company’s practices, MFMs being used for the transfer custody of oil products in Russia are returned to their respective re-calibration facilities at a frequency of between once a year to once every four years.

For example, the Lukoil company conducts additional Monitoring of Metrological Characteristics (MMCh) for its custody transfer MFMs once a quarter under different weather conditions (winter, spring, summer, autumn) in accordance to internal regulations.

“Such large interval between proving operations (confirmation of conformity) indicates the stability of the Coriolis measurement method and the trust in its measurement,” they stated.

Benefits of using the Coriolis Mass Flow Meter as a master meter

Tyubekin and Kurochkin further believed the use of a MFM master meter for verification offer advantages over other technologies such as the reference piston prover system currently used in Russia for verification of its MFMs.

“In my opinion, the mass flow master meter has some advantages over the piston prover due to its smaller dimensions. Therefore, it is easier to move between objects of verification,” they said.

“The verification process using MFM master meters are also faster, the units are cheaper to acquire when compared to piston provers, and the technology offers the possibility to compensate for viscosity effect.

“At the same time, using an MFM master meter allows proving under real operating conditions and the real oil product. Coriolis-based MFMs also encounter minimal wear and tear due to the lack of mechanical moving parts when compared with the piston prover.”

Sherman Lee, Marketing, Sentek Marine & Trading Pte Ltd, believes the master meter will be a “game changer” for the Singapore bunkering sector when officially introduced as it shortens the time and reduces resources required for bunker MFM verification.

“This represents quite a significant amount of cost saavings for operators in maintaining the system,” notes Lee, whose company owns the Kantek 2.

“With a master meter, the setup and completion in the verification of the duty meter [MFM installed on the barge used for custody measurement] should be done in less than a day and only involving one bunker tanker.

“Arguably, the most important aspect of this operation is the ability to trace the meter’s performance in meeting international metrology standards as differences in any MFM measurements will cost the company commercial losses.”

The master meter is scheduled to undergo further tests involving Singapore authorities during the next half of February before being approved for verification operations of duty MFMs installed on board Singapore bunker tankers due for yearly re-validation.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 18 February, 2020

Kantek 2

Metcore and Sentek personnel working on master meter

Overview of performance verification test

Endress+Hauser manufactured master meter

Endress+Hauser briefing on master meter

Mass Flowmeter

MFM-equipped CPN barge first listed under Hong Kong quality bunker scheme

Chimbusco Pan Nation’s bunker barge “Zhong Ran 23” has become the first vessel in Hong Kong listed on Marine Department’s official List of Quality Bunker Vessels, under a newly-launched scheme.

Published

3 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Admin

MFM-equipped CPN barge first listed under Hong Kong quality bunker scheme

Hong Kong-based marine fuel supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation (CPN) on Tuesday (16 June) announced that its bunker barge Zhong Ran 23 has become the first vessel in Hong Kong listed on the Marine Department’s official List of Quality Bunker Vessels.

The list under the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme launched on 3 June.

“The Scheme is a voluntary initiative designed to raise the standard of bunkering accuracy, transparency, and service quality in Hong Kong,” CPN said in a social media post.

“To be listed, a bunker vessel must have its Mass Flow Meter (MFM) system independently certified under ISO 22192, the international benchmark for mass flow metering in bunkering operations.”

CPN added it has operated the MFM system across our fleet of fuel oil barges since 2015.

Manifold Times previously reported Hong Kong’s Marine Department (MD) launching the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme to encourage bunker operators to install and use mass flow meter systems (MFM systems) on their bunker vessels.

MD said the scheme aims to enhance Hong Kong’s bunkering service quality and the competitiveness of Hong Kong ports, thereby further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre and a major bunkering port.

Under the Scheme, bunker operators of traditional maritime fuel and biodiesel that install and use MFM systems on their bunker vessels, with the MFM systems inspected and certified by an accredited body in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 22192 Standard or equivalent requirements, can apply to the MD for inclusion in the scheme’s “List of Quality Bunker Vessels”, provided they meet the relevant technical and operational requirements.

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation
Published: 17 June, 2026

Financial Result

Bunker Holding exceeds FY2025/26 forecast despite geopolitical headwinds

Bunker Holding delivered a gross profit of USD 424 million and a profit before tax of USD 73 million, exceeding the Group’s expectations for the year.

Published

3 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Admin

Bunker Holding on Tuesday (16 June) said it delivered a strong performance in the financial year 2025/2026 despite continued uncertainty across global markets.

The year was shaped by geopolitical developments, evolving trade flows, periods of heightened market volatility, and strong competition.

These conditions were further amplified by developments in the Middle East, which added complexity across global energy markets and shipping routes.

In response, Bunker Holding focused on getting closer to customers and understanding the different challenges faced across shipping segments. This enabled faster decision-making, greater agility under pressure, and allowed the Group to respond effectively while continuing to support customers reliably.

Against this backdrop, Bunker Holding delivered a gross profit of USD 424 million and a profit before tax of USD 73 million, exceeding the Group’s expectations for the year. Equity increased to USD 342 million.

Revenue amounted to USD 13.1 billion, a decrease of 4% compared to the previous year. The decline primarily reflected lower average oil prices during the financial year, despite periods of heightened market volatility and stronger pricing towards the end of the period.

“This year, we have taken important steps to strengthen Bunker Holding for the future. We have simplified parts of the organisation, brought teams closer together, and made the changes needed to make us more focused and efficient. Our markets remained challenging and unpredictable, but I am pleased with both the result we have delivered and the progress we have made,” said Peder Møller, CEO of Bunker Holding.

Looking ahead to 2026/27, Bunker Holding anticipates intense market competition alongside continued investments in low- and zero-carbon fuel projects and partnerships.

Changes to the Board of Directors

Bunker Holding said the company is strengthening its Board of Directors with the appointment of several new members and a new Chairman of the Board.

Nina Østergaard, CEO and co-owner of USTC, will assume the role of Chairman of the Board, while Henrik Andersen, Group President and CEO of Vestas Wind Systems A/S, will join as Vice Chairman. Tina Revsbech, CEO of Maersk Tankers, and Kenneth Steengaard, Chairman of the Board of Global Risk Management, will join the Board as new members.

At the same time, current Chairman Klaus Nyborg and Board member Peter Frederiksen will step down from the Board.

Nina Østergaard, incoming Chairman of the Board, said: “I am excited to take on the role as Chairman of Bunker Holding at an important time in the company’s development. Bunker Holding has a strong market position, a clear strategic direction, and significant opportunities ahead. I am also pleased to welcome Henrik Andersen, Tina Revsbech, and Kenneth Steengaard to the Board. They each bring valuable experience and perspectives, and I am particularly pleased that we have attracted such strong international profiles as Henrik and Tina, whose leadership experience from Vestas and Maersk Tankers will further strengthen the Board and support the company’s continued development.”

The addition of Kenneth Steengaard moves Bunker Holding closer to its sister-company Global Risk Management and adds important insight into risk management.

Bunker Holding founder and co-owner Torben Østergaard-Nielsen thanked the departing Board members for their contributions to the company.

Photo credit: Bunker Holding
Published: 17 June, 2026

Business

Oilmar establishes Board of Directors amid international expansion

Three directors are Chief Executive Officer Yusif Mammadov, Chief Finance Officer Nain Shafi, and Legal, Credit and Compliance Head Taira Shikhiyeva.

Published

3 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Admin

Oilmar formalises Board of Directors amid international expansion

UAE-based marine fuel and petroleum products trader Oilmar on Tuesday (16 June) announced the formal establishment of its Board of Directors, marking an important milestone in the company’s evolution.

The three directors are Chief Executive Officer Yusif Mammadov, Chief Finance Officer Nain Shafi, and Legal, Credit and Compliance Head Taira Shikhiyeva.

The formation of the Board was first communicated during Oilmar’s Q1 2026 Townhall as part of a wider governance enhancement initiative and has now been formally implemented.

The Board has been established to provide strategic direction, oversee risk management and governance matters, and support the company’s continued growth across its global operations.

“At inception, the Board comprises three Directors with extensive international experience across the energy, maritime, shipping, and commodity trading sectors. Together, they bring a wealth of industry knowledge and strategic expertise to support the company’s continued growth and development,” the company said.

“The Board is expected to be further strengthened through the appointment of additional Executive and Non-Executive Directors as the company continues to expand its international footprint.”

As part of the enhanced governance framework, strategic direction, risk appetite, and key business objectives will be determined at Board level, while regional management teams will remain responsible for execution within their respective markets. This structure strengthens accountability, promotes effective decision-making, and supports the Company’s long-term growth and succession objectives.

CEO Yusif Mammadov, said: “The establishment of the Board marks the next stage in Oilmar’s development as a global energy and marine fuels business. It creates a governance framework that will support our future growth, strengthen oversight across the organisation, and ensure that our strategic decisions are guided by long-term value creation and responsible risk management.”

Photo credit: Oilmar
Published: 17 June, 2026