As part of continuous review, the Singapore Standards Council (SSC), in collaboration with the industry and MPA, has published the SS 600:2022 edition on the Code of practice for bunkering by bunker tankers using tank gauging.
The 2022 revision of this standard consist of the following main changes:
- Aligned with the latest published SS 648:2019 Code of practice for bunker mass flow metering and SS 660:2020 Code of practice for bunker cargo delivery from oil terminal to bunker tanker using mass flow meter.
- Specified its use as a standard to be followed in the event of MFM metering system failure.
- Aligned the document structure to the updated ISO requirements.
- Updated Annex U on SBC terms and Annex T on Resolution of disputes by the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA).
Shipowners/ bunker buyers, charterers, operators, surveyors and shipping agents are urged to adhere to the requirements and procedures of the latest standards, especially in the event of MFM metering system failure onboard the bunker tanker when their vessels call at Singapore for bunkering.
When a MFM metering system failure occurs onboard a bunker tanker, the bunker supplier or the craft operator is required to take the permission of MPA before proceeding to or complete an ongoing delivery in accordance with SS 600:2022.
From 1 Jan 2023, SS 600:2014, will be superseded by SS 600:2022 and all bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators, bunker surveying companies and bunker surveyors will be required to comply with the requirements of SS 600:2022.
All bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators must ensure that the cargo officers and the crew onboard the bunker tankers are made aware and understand the changes made to SS 600 by 31 December 2022.
Similarly, all bunker surveying companies must ensure that all bunker surveyors employed by the company are also made aware and understand the changes made to SS 600 by 31 December 2022.