Bunkerchain’s proprietary multi-layer smart contract system uses permissioned trade and operational data, using MFM data and AIS locations of both supplying and receiving vessels as validators for the generation of the digital BDN and invoicing.
This transaction was also successfully transmitted to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) through the digital bunkering platform.
This places TotalEnergies Marine Fuels among the first bunkering companies in the world to digitalise its fuelling operations. Vice president Louise Tricoire said, “We are really proud of this achievement,” adding, “This operation keeps us ahead of regulatory requirements in Singapore and demonstrates our commitment to sustainability in the maritime sector and our approach to supporting our customers in their operations.”
Digitalised bunkering aims to eliminate the risk of human errors and lessen the voluminous paperwork conducted during the operation, some of which involves physical contact by crews from vessel to vessel as signatures are gathered and documents swapped.
Shifting from hard-copy BDNs to e-BDNs, according to MPA, can save close to 40,000 man-days per year for the bunker industry. The city-state is at the forefront of electronic bunkering. Beginning 1 November 2023, the MPA has mandated electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDNs). The MPA is encouraging its licensed bunker suppliers, shipowners, operators and crew to utilise the mobile and cloud software applications approved on its regularly updated list to complete and issue digital bunkering documents.
TotalEnergies has worked with Bunkerchain since late 2022 when the two companies were involved in a biofuels bunkering trial directed by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation. As part of that trial, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels partnered with the Jurong Port Universal Terminal and Bunkerchain to issue Electronic Certificates of Quantity and Electronic Certificates of Quality.
Since 2020, TotalEnergies has been one of the earliest suppliers to commence issuing e-BDNs for its LNG bunker operations in Europe, utilising its MOL-owned chartered bunker vessels, Gas Agility and Gas Vitality.
