In April 2006, Singapore bunkering standards were revised to the new SS 524:2006 Standard by the Working Group for Quality Management for Bunker Supply Chains (QMBS) and endorsed by the Standards Council of Singapore. As the world’s first standard to enhance the management of the bunker supply chain, the new accreditation ensures a structured system in carrying out bunkering activities, taking into consideration safety, health and environment issues as well as implementing improvements to the procedures and requirements for bunker transfer and quality.
Developed for the benefit of ship-owners, operators, charterers, bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators and bunker surveyors, the introduction of the new standard has already seen about 30% of all bunker suppliers opting out of the scheme. With the current additional application of the MARPOL Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to the SS 524:2006 specification, all currently accredited bunker suppliers are required to comply with the Sulphur-content limit requirements stated by the convention. In addition, all accredited bunker suppliers have to continue in meeting the accreditation requirements in order to renew their bunkering licences each year.
This QMBS accreditation system provides bunker buyers with the assurance of reliability and quality in Singapore’s bunkering services. With the improvement in the quality management system, bunker suppliers are now equipped with the ability, knowledge and competence to meet and exceed their clients’ expectations.
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