OCEAN Network Express and Shell have trialled an electric bunker delivery note (e-BDN) with support from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

The e-BDN trial was conducted on 9 September using digital bunkering technology developed by Angsana Technology at the Port of Singapore.

As part of the trial the cargo officer, chief engineer and bunker surveyor logged into the platform to complete electronic bunkering documentations for pre-delivery and post-delivery.

The bunkering documents were transmitted to all parties on completion, before the vessels departed.

ONE said adoption of e-BDN has long been a focal point for the digitalisation of international shipping, and that it has previously conducted several rounds of e-BDN trails with partners.

At the International Maritime Organization’s MEPC80 session in July, the 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 said its e-BDN trial with Shell also comes ahead of MPA’s launch of its digital bunkering initiative to implement electronic bunkering processes and documentations from 1 November 2023, which is expected to save about 39,000 man-days per year for the bunker industry.

MPA chief executive Teo Eng Dih said MPA was encouraged by the successful completion of the digital bunkering trial and looks forward to implementing electronic bunkering processes and documentations in the Port of Singapore.

“Apart from ensuring more secured and transparent operations when used with Mass Flow Meters, e-BDN will help build higher levels of trust amongst bunker buyers, suppliers, and financial institutions, and enable a more efficient and resilient ecosystem,” he said.

“The adoption of digital documentations at scale will help reduce business costs at the port ecosystem level and bring greater value to stakeholders across the entire bunkering value chain.”

ONE chief executive officer Jeremy Nixon said ONE was excited to play a role in advancing e-BDN practices.

“By adopting e-BDN, we will have greater visibility and reliability of our bunkering operations and a more sustainable footprint.”