Singapore’s MPA revises some bunker supply quality standards

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has revised its SS 524:2021 Quality Management for Bunker Supply Chain standard, saying it will improve best practices for bunker deliveries.

It says this new standard has been developed to provide a benchmark for an effective and efficient Quality Management systems for Bunker Supply chain (QMBS).

The new SS 524 quality standard is meant to align well with its SS 648 standard for mass flow meters, and other standards. Singapore has mandated that mass flow meters should be used for bunker deliveries, and had this in place for several years.

Other updates to the quality standard include:

• Update to the procurement section that covers procurement processes and verification of procured product to ensure better quality control
• Review of the non-conformity and corrective action section in relation to control of non-conforming products
• Align the SS 524’s structure of management system with the new ISO Annex SL, which was published in 2020.

Bunker suppliers are required to comply with new quality management standards set under SS 524:2021, under which any renewal/independent audits carried out by licensed bunker suppliers need to be SS 524:2021 certified.

The MPA has instructed all licensed bunker suppliers in the port to approach relevant bodies certified by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) and transit to SS 524:2021.

The port authority has given a 12-month notice for this, starting from 1 March 2022, to allow for a smooth transition.

The revised version of SS 524:2021 was formulated by the MPA together with the Singapore Standard Council (SSC) and other industry players.