Japanese container shipping alliance Ocean Network Express (ONE) is accelerating its digitalisation efforts after concluding its latest successful trial with Shell, supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), for the adoption of the electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN)
The e-BDN trial using the digital bunkering service was developed by Singapore-registered Angsana Technology, and conducted on 9 September 2023 at the city-state’s port.
As part of the trial, the cargo officer, chief engineer and bunker surveyor logged in to the platform via their unique link and one-time password to complete the electronic bunkering documentation for pre-delivery and post-delivery. Upon completion, the bunkering documents were transmitted to all parties before the vessels departed.
The adoption of e-BDN has been a focal point for the digitalisation of international shipping as it will simplify extensive documentation. At the recent MEPC 80 session in July 2023, IMO approved the acceptance of bunker delivery notes in both hard copy and digital formats, provided they meet the relevant requirements of Marpol Annex VI.
ONE has previously conducted several rounds of e-BDN trials with partners.
“We are excited to play a role in advancing e-BDN practices,” said ONE chief executive Jeremy Nixon. “By adopting e-BDN, we will have greater visibility and reliability of our bunkering operations and a more sustainable footprint.”
ONE said accomplishing greater operational efficiency via digitalisation is part of its decarbonisation efforts. The e-BDN trial by ONE and Shell also comes ahead of MPA’s launch of its digital bunkering initiative to implement electronic bunkering processes and documentation from 1 November 2023, which the parties believe can save thousands of hours per year for the bunker industry.
MPA chief executive Teo Eng Dih said the organisation was encouraged by the successful trial and looks forward to implementing electronic documentation in the Port of Singapore beginning November 2023.
Mr Dih said, “Apart from ensuring more secure and transparent operations when used with mass flow meters, e-BDN will help build higher levels of trust among bunker buyers, suppliers and financial institutions, and enable a more efficient and resilient ecosystem. The adoption of digital documentation at scale will help reduce business costs at the port ecosystem level and bring greater value to stakeholders across the entire bunkering value chain.”
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