ONE accelerates digitalisation by testing e-BDN
Electronic Bunker Delivery Note (e-BDN) trial, using technology developed by Angsana, was conducted at Singapore Port
Ocean Network Express (ONE) is accelerating its digitalisation efforts with the latest successful trial with Shell and support from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) for the adoption of the electronic Bunker Delivery Note (e-BDN).
The e-BDN trial, using the digital bunkering solution developed by Angsana Technology, was conducted last month at the Port of Singapore, says a release from ONE.
"As part of the trial, the cargo officer, chief engineer and bunker surveyor logged in to the platform via their unique link and one-time password to complete the electronic bunkering documentations for pre-delivery and post-delivery. Upon completion, the bunkering documents were transmitted to all parties before the vessels departed."
Cargo officer and surveyor completing the bunkering documents electronically on ONE Truth. Photo credit: MPA
The adoption of e-BDN has been a focal point for the digitalisation of international shipping. ONE has previously conducted several rounds of e-BDN trials with partners, the release added. "At the MEPC80 session in July 2023, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved the acceptance of bunker delivery notes (BDNs) in both hard copy and digital formats, provided they meet the relevant requirements of MARPOL Annex VI."
The e-BDN trial by ONE and Shell comes ahead of MPA’s launch of its digital bunkering initiative to implement electronic bunkering processes and documentations from November 1, 2023, which is expected to save about 39,000 man-days per year for the bunker industry.
“MPA is encouraged by the successful completion of the digital bunkering trial and we look forward to implementing electronic bunkering processes and documentations in the Port of Singapore progressively from November 2023 onwards," says Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, MPA. "Apart from ensuring more secure and transparent operations when used with mass flow metres, e-BDN will help build higher levels of trust amongst bunker buyers, suppliers, and financial institutions, and enable a more efficient and resilient ecosystem. 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.”
Jeremy Nixon, CEO, ONE adds: “We are 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.”
Operational efficiency via the vessel digitalisation programme has been one of ONE’s five decarbonisation key initiatives to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the release said.
ONE, a member of THE Alliance (THEA), is the world’s sixth largest container carrier with a fleet size of approximately 1.69 million TEUs.