China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co., Ltd. (CHIMBUSCO) has successfully completed China’s first fully digitalized bonded bunkering operation using an electronic Bunker Delivery Note (eBDN), a digital alternative to the traditional paper-based bunker delivery note. By automatically capturing and transmitting bunkering data through electronic metering system, eBDN enhances accuracy, traceability, and operational efficiency for all parties. This landmark operation marks a significant milestone in the digital transformation of China’s marine bunker supply chain.

On April 1, 2025, CHIMBUSCO successfully supplied 1,300 metric tons of bonded low-sulfur marine fuel oil to the container vessel “CSCL GLOBE” owned by COSCO SHIPPING at the Shangdong Terminal of Shanghai Yangshan Deepwater Port. This operation represents the first fully digitalized process in China’s marine bunker industry, covering declaration, approval, bunkering and eBDN delivery.

Against the backdrop of accelerating digital transformation in the global shipping industry, the adoption of eBDN delivers significant advantages, including enhanced operational transparency, improved document authenticity through real-time multi-party verification, and simplified customs clearance procedures. By enabling data synchronization and direct systems integration, eBDN reduces vessel waiting time and facilitates faster clearance processes for shipowners.

The eBDN also lays the foundation for lifecycle carbon footprint tracking of marine fuels and future integration into blockchain-based bunkering ecosystem, providing essential data for traceable and quantifiable environmental governance.

This landmark operation was made possible through the joint efforts of CHIMBUSCO, COSCO SHIPPING Technology, and key regulatory bodies including the Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone and port authorities at Yangshan Deepwater Port. The stakeholders collaborated to establish a fully digitalized workflow—from bunkering declaration and government system interfacing to real-time transmission of mass flow meters (MFMs) data to the Shanghai International Digital Bunkering Service Platform. Upon completion, the eBDN and related electronic documents were automatically transmitted to regulatory systems for bonded fuel export verification and emissions tracking. Settlement between CHIMBUSCO and the shipowner was also conducted via eBDN.

This successful operation demonstrates China’s progress in digital transformation of bonded bunker services and underscores CHIMBUSCO’s leading role in the marine bunker industry. The company will continue advancing collaboration and data integration across the supply chain to further elevate the global competitiveness of China’s marine bunker industry.