July 29, 2025
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the Port of Rotterdam have announced that they mandate the use of a Mass Flow Meter (MFM), starting 1 January 2026.
As of 1 January 2026, the use of a Mass Flow Meter (MFM) system on board bunker vessels will be mandatory for the delivery of residual distillates (fuel oil and diesel) and biofuels in the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges. This system measures exactly how much fuel goes from the bunker ship to the seagoing vessel. The aim is to make the bunker market in both ports more reliable, efficient, and transparent. Once the MFM system is implemented, it must also be certified.
The bunker permit, including the MFM system, is mandatory. Regulations must be complied with. Supervisors will carry out inspections both randomly and in response to signals from the market on board bunker ships. Please note: it is mandatory to certify the MFM system and submit it to the harbour master or port captain before 1 January 2026. In the event of violations, fines may be imposed or the bunker licence may be revoked.
According to the statement, the port authorities of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges have observed frequent issues with bunker fuel deliveries. Research by CE Delft and others has confirmed that structural quantity issues exist in the bunker market. As a result, the use of the MFM system on board bunker vessels is becoming mandatory.
What are the requirements for MFM systems?
- The ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges apply the same requirements for MFM systems as other leading ports around the world. These requirements are defined in the international ISO 22192 standard. However, Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges cannot adopt all parts of this standard directly due to European regulations.
- However, the objective remains the same: in both ports, the use of an MFM system is mandatory, just as it is in the Port of Singapore. The systems used in Singapore are also required in Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges.
- The ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges also require that the general rules and procedures for bunkering using the MFM system align with those set out in the ISO standard. In this respect as well, there is no difference from other ports where an MFM system based on ISO 22192 is mandatory.
