Latest News
02 Feb 2023
MPA: Singapore retains position as world’s largest bunkering hub
Total of 47.2 million tonnes of bunker sales was registered in 2022 of which 140,000 tonnes were biofuel blends; Singapore also remains the world's largest transshipment port.
02 Feb 2023
Peninsula takes delivery of bunker supply tanker “Hercules Sun”
The 8,000 dwt supply vessel is the sister vessel to the Hercules Star which arrived in August last year; ship made its way from China to Fujairah before arriving in Gibraltar.
KSOE wins USD 2.05 billion order to build 12 methanol-powered VLCCs
Vessels will be built by KSOE’s subsidiary Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. at its shipyard in the southwestern port of Yeongam; ships will be delivered in stages by December of 2026.
02 Feb 2023US Department of Energy awards USD 118 million to accelerate domestic biofuel production
Biofuels have the immediate potential to power ships, trains, airlines and heavy-duty vehicles in US with a significantly reduced carbon footprint, said US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.
02 Feb 2023OCI and Unibarge partner to develop Europe’s first dual-fuelled green methanol bunker barge
Barge will run on renewable methanol bunker fuel, as well as conventional biofuel bunkers; barge is expected to be deployed into inland waterways from Port of Rotterdam in 2024.
02 Feb 2023ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook
ARA gasoil stocks grow to one-year highs ahead of sanctions; bunkering normal in most Gibraltar Strait ports; fuel supply normal in South African ports.
02 Feb 2023MPC Container Ships acquires scrubber-fitter containerships “Rio Centaurus” and “TRF Kaya”
Firm acquired both boxships for a total of USD 33.9 million; duo comes with existing charters attached with renewal in Q4 2023 and Q1 2024, respectively.
02 Feb 2023Featured News
Methanol Institute: ‘Plausible’ business opportunity, lower barriers to entry for methanol bunkering first movers
Discussions around the need to develop methanol bunkering operations are taking place at numerous ports ahead of estimated demand of above 7M mtpa by 2030, says Chris Chatterton of Methanol Institute.
Methanol Institute: ‘Turning point’ for methanol as bunker fuel reached with A.P. Moller – Maersk leading change
‘Economics of the shipping market will be the key driver enabling methanol to be adopted at a higher pace going forth over next couple years as market begins to return to more normal rates,’ states COO.
Singapore: High Court grants former Integr8 Fuels Korean desk staff expedited ‘back to work’ status
Integr8 Fuel injunction varied by Singapore Court to allow former employees to start work at Hartree Group in December 2022 following failure to produce evidence on biofuels development plans.
Eurofins: UCOME, POME, UCO as feedstocks for bio bunker fuel present ‘unique’ challenges for shipping sector
Variability of sources can affect the stability and performance of biofuel bunkers produced from these feedstocks, in turn leading to difficulties in meeting regulations and industry standards, shares Bryan Quek.
Exclusive: Estimated marine fuel sales figures of Singapore top 10 bunker suppliers by volume in 2022
Top three positive movers in 2022 were Bunker House Petroleum Pte Ltd (+7), Eastpoint International Marketing Pte Ltd (+5), and Eng Hua Company (Pte) Ltd (+6); newcomer Sinopec Fuel Oil (Singapore) gets 19th spot.
“Yangtze Harmony” bunker claims pile up with Peninsula Petroleum seeking repayment of USD 206,000 debt
Livestock carrier also involved in earlier bunker claim with Glander International Bunkering due to remaining unpaid fuel bill of approximately USD 116,000, according to court documents obtained by Manifold Times.
Expert's Opinion

Maritime consultancy: Global interest in MFMs picking up
Adoption of MFM systems have caught the attention of bunker players in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Fujairah, Gibraltar and Greece, says Metcore’s Managing Director.

Singapore bunker contamination different from earlier Houston cases
‘Irreversible damage’ inflicted to vessel engine components due to hydrochloric acid exposure, explains the General Manager of Eurofins Singapore.

Marine fuel quality: Where do we go from here?
The issue of contaminated marine fuel within the bunkering sector will likely to continue past 2020, forecasts the Group Managing Director of Veritas Petroleum Services.

Positive influence: Additives potential ‘lifesavers’ for off-spec VLSFOs
TSP, cat fines, and water content are parameters which marine fuel additives can positively influence to save an otherwise off-spec product, shares the Technical Manager (APAC) of Aderco.

Mysterious engine damages Post IMO 2020 caused by VLSFO?
Poor combustion affects between 4-20% of the worldwide fleet and stems ultimately from the source of bunker fuel, shares the Marine Regional Sales Manager Asia Pacific of Innospec.

Traditional bunker price reporting is transitioning to a new era
Bunker price assessments are keeping up with shipping’s change to a low carbon future, informs the Deputy Editor, Marine Fuels at Argus Media.

De-bunkering specialist: Choosing the right pump for the job
Relying on vessel pumps to extract contaminated marine fuel from bunker tanks, though convenient, might be a bad choice, explains the Director of Pro Liquid.

SNP broker tells: Why the premium for bunker tankers?
Ever wonder why bunkering vessels are 20 to 30% more expensive than their conventional oil tanker cousins? The Managing Director of Sovereign Shipping Global explains.

Marine fuel additives: A drop-in solution for IMO 2020 fuels
Infineum additives can positively influence TSP and TSA to improve stability and compatibility of treated fuel, shares its Marine Fuel Additive Business Development Manager.

After Hin Leong, Is Singapore Still A Premier Commodity Trading Hub?
Murmurings of recent commodity trading incidents suggest an impact on Singapore’s ability to attract commodity traders. The MD of Helmsman LLC examines if this is true.