Hafnia together with bp Marine, Cargill, Frontline, Hapag Lloyd, Mercuria, Minerva Bunkering, Oldendorff, Trafigura, TFG Marine, Unifeeder, and Vitol welcomes the official launch of the Bunkering Services Initiative (BSI) across the Amsterdam Rotterdam Antwerp (ARA) region.
Launched during a ceremony in London on December 1, 2025 – this marks an official milestone in the industry’s collective effort to address challenges around fuel quantity consistency and fuel quality transparency in marine bunkering.
Developed through voluntary collaboration between leading marine fuel buyers and suppliers, the BSI is a technology-enabled, independently audited framework bringing greater efficiency to one of the world’s largest bunkering hubs. For Hafnia, a founding participant, it marks a step forward for an industry long challenged by fragmented standards and limited transparency.
“By aligning buyers and suppliers around common standards and data, and independent oversight, we allow the market to function fairly and efficiently for everyone involved.” said Peter Grünwaldt, Head of Bunkers at Hafnia and Co-CEO of Seascale Energy (Hafnia’s marine fuel procurement joint-venture with Cargill).
In recent years, the marine fuels industry has faced increasing regulatory attention, particularly in the ARA region, with new requirements for measurement equipment and operating practices. While well intentioned, these measures often lack effective enforcement and clear dispute-resolution mechanisms. This has led to the spread of semi-regulated solutions, where equipment may be installed but data integrity and oversight remain uncertain, leaving buyers with limited recourse and suppliers facing uneven competitive conditions.
The market now faces a clear choice: adopt transparent, independently governed frameworks such as the BSI, with enforceable standards and clear escalation paths, or continue relying on partially regulated alternatives that undermine trust and market confidence.
The BSI addresses these gaps by going beyond minimum compliance, establishing an end-to-end model built on traceability, real-time data, and independent oversight. Rather than relying on after-the-fact enforcement, it promotes consistent standards and prevents issues before they arise.
A Gold Standard for Bunkering Operations
At the core of BSI is the use of certified mass flow meters (MFMs), digitalized workflows secured by blockchain, and end-to-end traceability of fuel quality data from shore tank to final delivery.
All bunker barges operating under the BSI are equipped with certified MFMs integrated with ADP Clear’s system, meet strict qualification standards set by Lloyd’s Register, and are subject to unannounced inspections covering equipment, piping, seals, and data integrity. Buyers are provided with real-time visibility of quantity and quality metrics for each delivery.
Laboratory fuel test results are uploaded directly by leading testing companies, providing full supply-chain transparency and helping resolve issues objectively while reducing disputes for both buyers and suppliers.
The BSI represents a meaningful share of bunkering activity in the ARA, accounting for approximately 20% of regional market volume and covering several thousand deliveries annually.
Participation in the BSI is voluntary and open to any marine fuel buyer or supplier wishing to adopt and comply with its standards and governance model. While the BSI is initially focused on the ARA region, its architecture and operating principles are aligned with best-in-class international standards, including those implemented in Singapore – that can be extended to other bunkering hubs over time.
The BSI is deliberately designed as a self-regulating framework, using data to monitor behaviour and adherence to standards, while supporting rather than duplicating the objectives of regulatory authorities.
“It has taken time and uncommon cooperation between buyers and suppliers to get here, but that is precisely what gives the BSI its strength. Suppliers compete on service quality and efficiency, buyers gain confidence in what they are paying for, and the entire market benefits from greater trust and reduced friction.” said Tyler Baron, CEO of Minerva Bunkering.
For Hafnia, the BSI reflects a broader commitment to responsible procurement and industry collaboration. For further information about the Bunkering Services Initiative or participation in the ARA region, please contact: initiative@adpclear.io
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