Issuance of a proof of sustainability with the bunker delivery note for Biofuel deliveries to ships engaged in international shipping in the Port of Singapore
In a Port Marine Circular issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the following information is mentioned:
The circular aims to inform all bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators licensed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) about the requirements for issuing a Proof of Sustainability (POS) from a recognized scheme along with the Bunker Delivery Note when supplying biofuel to vessels in the Port of Singapore.
This circular should be read in conjunction with PMC 21 of 2022 – Supply of biofuel within the Port of Singapore to vessels, where, among other requirements, bunker suppliers were encouraged to provide International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified biofuel.
The 80th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved the “Interim guidance on the use biofuels under regulations 26, 27, and 28 of MARPOL Annex VI (IMO DCS and CII).” This guidance was promulgated via MEPC.1/Circ.905 and is applicable from 01 October 2023. The circular is attached as Annex A.
As per MEPC.1/Circ.905, starting from 01 October 2023, MPA licensed bunker suppliers, upon the request of their customers or the Master/owner of the receiving vessel, must provide a POS or similar documentation from a recognized scheme along with the Bunker Delivery Note (BDN).
When a POS or similar documentation is provided to the receiving vessel, the bunker supplier must also furnish a copy of this documentation to MPA Standards and Investigation – Marine Fuel (SIMF) Department. MPA will conduct random checks and contact the bunker suppliers for additional details as and when necessary.
It’s important to note that this circular is applicable for an interim period only, until a more comprehensive method is developed for international shipping to calculate a fuel’s Emission Conversion Factor reflecting emissions based on the LCA Guidelines by the IMO. For the nationally determined contributions to emission reduction for national emission reduction goals and the use of biofuels as marine fuel for Harbor craft where greenhouse gas emissions are reported, the relevant factors used can be referenced to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.
To calculate the CO2 Emission Conversion Factor (Cf) for international shipping, suppliers are expected to adopt the calculation methodology outlined in MEPC.1/Circ.905.
Source MPA Singapore