Singapore to launch world’s first fully digital bunkering system in 2025

Singapore is set to become the world’s first port to fully transition to digital bunkering services by April 2025, marking a major leap in the global maritime industry. The shift will require all bunker suppliers at the Port of Singapore to provide digital services and issue electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDNs), replacing traditional paper documents.

This move follows successful trials with key bunker suppliers in the port held from November 2023 and is expected to improve efficiency significantly. Digital bunkering will streamline the fuel supply process, reducing man-hours by an estimated 40,000 annually. It will also enhance transparency and minimize errors, making operations more efficient for both suppliers and shipowners.

As the world’s largest bunkering port, Singapore continues to lead in adopting innovative technologies. The transition to e-BDNs mirrors Singapore’s earlier adoption of mass flow meters in 2017, transforming fuel delivery verification. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has already approved e-BDNs as a standard format.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will establish a centralized e-BDN record verification facility to support the transition. This platform will allow stakeholders to verify documents, ensuring data integrity and boosting confidence in digital transactions.

In addition, new standards will be implemented to ensure consistency across digital systems. Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) will introduce the Singapore Standard (SS) 709 to manage digital bunkering documentation, promoting system interoperability. The existing SS 648 code will also be updated to align with these changes, further securing data integrity.

This digital shift comes as Singapore continues to experience growth in its bunkering operations. In the first eight months of 2024, bunker sales increased by 7%, reaching over 36 million tonnes.