Det Norske Veritas Petroleum Services marked a significant milestone when it opened its new worldwide headquarters in Singapore in February 2001.
Codes of Practice
Our operations are in line with DNVs mission, and we devote much time and effort to promoting the interests of the shipping community, says Lim. As well as developing fuel-testing techniques, DNV Petroleum Services has made useful contributions to the formulation of bunkering guidelines such as CP60, which is the Singapore Code of Practice on Bunkering, and the international ISO TR 13739 Technical Report. Adds Lim, We are presently lobbying for international support for custody transfer sampling, an issue concerning the correct location for drawing a representative sample during the delivery of bunkers to ships. Many major shipping organisations now understand how custody transfer sampling can help them achieve a more representative sample for determining the quality of the bunkers they have purchased.
Brooking no compromise
Singapores Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology and National Development, Dr John Chen, says: The bunkering industry is an integral part of Singapores international maritime cluster, which is an important contributor to the Singaporean economy. As representatives of a global oil-processing and trading centre, Singapores authorities have a vested interest in the bunkering industry and take a serious view of any compromise in the bunker quality, as this will affect the safety of ships and undermine Singapores reputation as the worlds premier bunkering port. Consequently, we firmly believe in DNV Petroleum Services efforts and are pleased to note that the company has participated actively in the formulation of the Singapore Bunkering Procedures. Moreover, DNV Petroleum Services portable sampling equipment design was incorporated as part of the updated requirements. This sampling equipment has been accepted by the Maritime & Port Authority and the industry as standard equipment for the collection of a representative sample during bunkering. DNV Petroleum Services will be involved in the review of CP60 this year. With its newer and bigger facilities, I am confident that the organisation will be able to provide even better testing services and support for the shipping and bunkering industry.