IBIA – The International Bunker Industry Association, with support from BIMCO, has announced the launch of a follow-up survey designed to assess the impact of bunker licensing schemes and Mass Flow Meter technology on transparency, fuel quality, and regulatory alignment across the maritime sector. This initiative builds on the comprehensive survey conducted in 2022, which provided valuable insights into industry challenges related to fuel quality, quantity discrepancies, and the operational impacts of adopting MFM technology.

The findings of the 2022 survey highlighted that while MFM adoption, particularly in Singapore, has significantly reduced disputes over fuel quantity, concerns regarding fuel quality and its effect on machinery remain prevalent. The survey also revealed strong industry support for the wider implementation of MFM and licensing schemes as a means of improving transparency, reliability, and trust at ports globally.

The follow-up survey, led by the IBIA Bunker Licensing & MFM Working Group (BL MFM), seeks to build on these findings by examining progress made since 2022, identifying ongoing challenges, and gathering industry perspectives on the potential adoption of mandatory MFM technology, the expansion of licensing schemes to additional ports, and the benefits of global standardisation and digitalisation of bunkering practices.

Alexander Prokopakis, Executive Director of IBIA, said: “The feedback from our 2022 survey showed a clear industry desire for greater transparency and confidence in the bunkering process. This follow-up survey will allow us to better understand the current state of the industry and identify the steps needed to ensure safe, reliable, and future-ready bunkering practices worldwide.”

David Loosley, Secretary General & CEO of BIMCO, added: “As biofuels and other expensive alternative fuels are gradually and increasingly introduced, it reinforces the need to ensure accuracy and transparency in the quantity and quality of the fuels being delivered. The Port of Singapore, as well as the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp, are demonstrating their commitment to the mandatory and enforceable use of Mass Flow Meters; we believe this, supported by industry initiatives, is a very positive step forward for the future supply of bunkers to the shipping industry.”

The survey is open to all stakeholders across the maritime industry. The feedback received will play a crucial role in shaping future recommendations for more robust and standardised practices across the global bunkering industry.