ISO 6963:2024

Overview

ISO 6963:2024 establishes a harmonized method for measuring bunker cargo loading from an oil terminal to a bunker tanker using a Coriolis mass flow meter (MFM) during custody transfer. The standard covers quantity measurement and associated sampling requirements to ensure accurate, traceable transfers. It is the first edition published by ISO/TC 28 and is intended to provide consistent operational, metrological and documentation practices for bunker loading operations.

Key Topics

The standard addresses technical and procedural requirements across the entire bunker loading workflow:

• Metrological requirements

  • General MFM characteristics and performance requirements
  • Requirements for the complete MFM measuring system
  • Post-approval maintenance, verification and calibration controls (including zero verification procedures)
  • Uncertainty considerations (informative uncertainty budget annex)

• System integrity and security

  • Metrological control, documentation, type approval and pattern evaluation
  • Equipment, software and data security measures
  • Critical alarm definitions and responses
  • Installation, commissioning, re‑commissioning and sealing plans

• Meter selection, installation and testing

  • Site survey guidance at terminals
  • Meter selection criteria and installation best practices
  • Site acceptance test requirements and commissioning checks

• Operational procedures and documentation

  • Pre-loading, loading and post-loading procedures
  • Required documentation: system documents, totalizer logs, metering tickets, sampling records
  • Procedures for handling MFM failures, disputes and claims

• Sampling and quality

  • Sampling locations and sampling procedures for bunker cargo quality
  • Documentation and quality certification (examples included in annexes)

• Annexes

  • Practical tools including uncertainty tables, zero verification procedure, schematic diagrams, example labels, certificates and dispute/claim procedures

Applications

ISO 6963:2024 is directly applicable to:

• Oil terminals and bunker suppliers conducting custody transfer to bunker tankers
• Ship operators and bunker tanker crews accepting delivered fuel
• Metrology authorities, third‑party surveyors and inspectors verifying transaction quantities
• Manufacturers and integrators of Coriolis mass flow meters and fueling systems
• Regulators and quality control teams establishing compliant procedures and evidence trails

Use of the standard improves measurement accuracy, reduces disputes, strengthens data security and provides audit-ready documentation for commercial bunker cargo transfers.

Related Standards (if applicable)

ISO 6963 complements other international standards and industry guidance on petroleum measurement, flow metering and custody transfer practices. Organizations implementing ISO 6963 should consider coordination with applicable national and international metrology and petroleum measurement standards.