Singapore to crack down on bunker corruption

A Singapore-based executive has pointed to the need to wipe out bribery relating to the bunkering industry.

“There was no professional oversight in the early days and it was easy then as it is now for the ‘crooks’ to stick their fingers in,” a source speaking to Baird Maritime on condition of anonymity said. He has previously attended a bunkering course commissioned by Singapore’s port regulatory body, the Maritime Port Authority (MPA).

Port of Singapore

The corruption issue was brought to the centre of attention when the MPA revoked Faber Marine’s license after one of its directors was convicted by local courts. This was the first conviction of its kind in 2009 but is foreseen to be only the tip of the iceberg as the MPA revealed that other suppliers were to be investigated.

Local authorities have now launched the SS 600 and the Quality Management for Bunker Supply (QMBS) audit to stamp out corruption.

More than just these official channels, the anonymous source said that expert knowledge and professional instinct was really all that was needed to eliminate corruption.

Singapore will be introducing standards to measure the flow rate of bunker fuel, hence ensuring its fair transfer. Dates for the launch of the Mass Meter have not been confirmed, but it believed that it will be introduced to the local circuit by mid-2010.

“We are still running trials on the device,” an MPA spokesperson said.

“At least Singapore is taking serious steps to beat off these kinds of practices,” said another anonymous source when comparing bunker-related bribery practices in ports in other parts of Asia and the Middle East.

Source: baird maritime