Hong Kong’s Marine Department has launched a voluntary Quality Bunker Operator Scheme to encourage bunker operators to install and use mass flow meter systems on bunker vessels, according to the Marine Department.
The scheme targets operators supplying traditional marine fuel and biodiesel, and is designed to improve measurement accuracy, transparency and service quality in Hong Kong’s bunkering market. Operators can apply for their bunker vessels to be included in the Marine Department’s “List of Quality Bunker Vessels” if their MFM systems are inspected and certified by an accredited body under the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 22192 standard or equivalent requirements.
Applicants must also meet the scheme’s technical and operational requirements. Details of approved bunker vessels will be published on a dedicated Marine Department webpage for shipping companies and other stakeholders.
The Marine Department said Hong Kong has for many years ranked as the seventh-largest bunkering port globally, the second-largest in the country and the largest in the Greater Bay Area.
“As the international shipping industry has an increasing demand for accuracy and transparency in bunkering services, service quality and measurement precision in bunkering operations have become important indicators of a bunkering port’s competitiveness. The Scheme will enhance bunkering accuracy and transparency, further enhancing the quality of Hong Kong’s bunkering services,” a Marine Department spokesman said.
The department also plans to mandate the use of MFM systems on all methanol bunker vessels this year. “Comprehensive port services are one of Hong Kong’s key advantages as an international maritime centre. We will also mandate the use of MFM systems on all methanol bunker vessels this year to ensure that Hong Kong continues to provide high-quality bunkering services in the era of green maritime fuels,” the spokesman said.
Applications are available through the Marine Department’s website, with enquiries handled by its Green Maritime Fuel Team.
The Marine Department is the Hong Kong government authority responsible for maritime administration, port services, vessel safety, seafarer matters and the regulation of marine operations in Hong Kong waters.
The International Organization for Standardization is an independent, non-governmental international organisation that develops and publishes voluntary technical standards through national standards bodies.