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Singapore bunkering sector faces manpower ‘talent gap’ for qualified bunker surveyors

Industry sources from the bunker surveying sector point to training processes, price war, and outdated policies as factors leading to current issue.
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Players within the Singapore bunkering sector are currently facing a ‘talent gap’ over the recruitment of sufficient qualified bunker surveyor staff due to a variety of reasons, learns Manifold Times.

Fully qualified Singapore bunker surveyors, which generally take between six to eight months to train, are required to obtain a license from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) via an accredited and licenced bunker surveying company.

Interested personnel are required to attend and pass a bunker surveying course from ST Engineering subsidiary STET Maritime Pte Ltd – the only entity approved by MPA for such training – before being able to apply for the appropriate licence.

It is believed the ST Engineering subsidiary conducts its bunker surveying course for newcomers about twice a year.*

“Bunker surveyor candidates have to go through a structured process to ensure only quality surveyors are able to operate at Singapore port which is good for quality control,” an industry veteran familiar with the bunker surveyor sector told Manifold Times.

“However, we need to streamline the process for the training of new bunker surveyors at Singapore and consider a review of training requirements and the institute for carrying this out.

“As we all know there is a memorandum from September 2017 to September 2018, that no new bunker surveyor licences will be issued for companies and individuals. From September 2018 to March 2019 there was only one course held by STET, whereas in 2019 there was only two courses held by STET in March and October 2019.

“The given reason for the low frequency in courses held is due to insufficient attendees for the courses; this also means even when a date is given for a course to start, it doesn’t confirm training will proceed.

“This scenario has caused planning issues for companies trying to groom new surveyors as firms have no choice but to keep them on the payroll until the next STET lesson which could be months away.

“Hopefully MPA can look into streamlining these external costs and requirements to make these lessons more frequently available throughout the year so surveying companies will be able to invest more in recruitment operations to boost our bunkering industry.

“In the end due to this lag, bunker surveying companies will just be poaching from the market."

Another active player in the bunker survey sector confirmed the lack of STET Maritime organised bunker surveying courses.

“They need a minimum amount of people to conduct the course, I called them up a few times and they couldn’t give me a fixed date for it,” he said while continuing “and that’s why I had to take surveyors from other surveying companies to remain in the market.”

The real cause of the lack of surveyors within the Singapore bunker market, however, has more to do regarding payment of bunker surveyor services rather than training of new personnel, believes a management level source from the bunker surveying sector.

“Most of the smaller bunker surveying companies are paying lesser at around SGD $3,750 to 4,250 for 15 ships which makes around $250-283 per vessel; these smaller firms also do not offer a 13th month bonus,” he explains.

“A surveyor will usually stay on board for around 15 hours. Now with the introduction of VLSFO a surveyor may have up to three bunker grades (i.e. HFO, MGO, VLSFO) to manage so the duration of jobs may last till around 24 hours or more.

“Hence, the majority of surveyors feel the risk of climbing up on board a ship is not worth it with the lower prices – leading to the lack of surveyors for certain bunker jobs.

“However, the situation is quite the opposite for bigger bunker survey firms which pay more for jobs such as approximately SGD 5,000 for around 12 to 15 ships.

“It is the bunker surveyors who suffer when their respective firms engage in a price war.”

The Association of Bunker Industry (Singapore), also known as ABIS, believes it is time for the authorities to revamp the bunker surveyor qualification process at the republic.

“I had highlighted to MPA that they need a review on the requirements for new surveyors. Now is the perfect time to do so as the Singapore marine fuels industry has progressed from manual tank gauging to utilising mass flowmeter (MFM) technology for bunkering,” said ABIS President Daniel Phua.

“A lot of these policies can be considered old and obsolete as they were developed in the early 2000’s.

“We need to set up a review committee to look into updating earlier policies to keep up with the market’s needs, and more importantly – to pave the way for the next generation of mariners in joining our vibrant bunkering sector.”

*A check by Manifold Times on the ST Engineering training calendar [here] showed one Bunker Surveying Course taking place during 14 to 15 October 2019 between the six-month period from July to December 2019.
Status of the training date for the Bunker Survey Course (Refresher) TR 48:2015 Bunker Mass Flow Metering in the similar calendar was “to be advised” between the similar six-month period in 2019.
The MPA Mandatory Course Schedule [here] states the minimum number of personnel required to start the Bunker Surveying Course is seven.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 2 December, 2019
 

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Bunker Fuel

Huanghua Port expands bunkering capabilities with dedicated fuel oil terminal

Previously, bunkering vessels serving Huanghua Port were required to replenish marine fuel oil at other ports, including Tianjin, before returning to carry out bunkering operations, often resulting in delays.
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June 16, 2026

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Huanghua Port has strengthened its marine fuel supply infrastructure with the commissioning of its first dedicated, all-weather bunker terminal, a move aimed at improving vessel turnaround times and supporting growing shipping activity at the port, according to China-based news outlets on Thursday (11 June). 

On 9 June, bunker tanker Heng Feng You 165 completed fuel loading operations at the terminal in the Huanghua Port Comprehensive Port Area before proceeding to an anchorage to provide bunkering services to waiting cargo vessels.

According to local authorities, the new facility addresses a longstanding bottleneck in the port’s marine fuel supply chain. 

Yao Meichen, Deputy Director of the Cangzhou Municipal Ocean and Port Administration Bureau said bunkering vessels serving Huanghua Port were required to replenish marine fuel oil at other ports previously, including Tianjin, before returning to carry out bunkering operations, often resulting in delays for vessels awaiting bunkers.

As cargo throughput and vessel traffic have increased in recent years, the absence of a specialised bunker terminal became a constraint on port efficiency. To address the issue, local authorities invested RMB 266 million (USD 39 million) to develop Huanghua Port’s first dedicated marine fuel oil terminal and actively pursued regulatory approvals for both a domestic transfer export bonded warehouse and a liquid bonded storage facility.

The terminal, which entered service at the end of last year, features a dedicated 5,000-dwt berth and storage tanks with a combined capacity of 66,000 cubic metres. It has a designed annual throughput capacity of 820,000 tonnes and primarily handles marine gasoil as well as 120 CST and 180 CST fuel oils.

Authorities said the facility has been operating smoothly since its launch and is capable of ensuring a stable supply of bunker fuel for vessels calling at the port.

The bunkering infrastructure will be further enhanced following approval from Shijiazhuang Customs for the establishment of both the domestic transfer export bonded warehouse and liquid bonded storage facilities. The additions are expected to strengthen Huanghua Port’s ability to provide bunkering services to international-going vessels.

“The commissioning of the marine fuel oil terminal has completely changed the previous situation of off-site fuel supply and ships queuing for fuel, achieving benefits for both bunkering vessels and cargo ships,” said Dong Xianke, General Manager of Cangzhou Bohai New Area Gangkun Marine Fuel Co., Ltd., the terminal’s operator.

 

Photo credit: David Yu from Pixabay
Published: 16 June, 2026

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Methanol

China: Chimbusco takes delivery of new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhoushan

Company says commissioning of “Zhong Ran LV Neng 85” will further enhance its service capabilities in green methanol bunkering in major domestic ports.
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Chimbusco takes delivery of new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhoushan

China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco) recently took delivery of its first bunkering vessel in China to deliver methanol to dual-fuel ships.

The 8,500-dwt duplex stainless steel chemical tanker Zhong Ran LV Neng 85 was successfully delivered in Zhoushan.

The company said the commissioning of this new ship will further enhance Chimbusco’s service capabilities in green methanol bunkering in major domestic ports and expand its national marine new energy service and support network

During the delivery period, Chimbusco said it focused on safe operations and conducted special training for all crew members of the vessel.

The training covered methanol bunkering operation specifications, prevention of collisions between commercial and fishing vessels, daily vessel reporting, and voyage report filling standards.

Manifold Times previously reported the launching of the bunkering vessel at Taizhou Fangzhen Shipbuilding Wharf in Zhejiang.

The floating out of the ship comes after Chimbusco has obtained methanol bunkering licences for Shanghai Port and Ningbo Port.

Related: Chimbusco launches new methanol bunkering vessel in Zhejiang

 

Photo credit: China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco)
Published: 16 June, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CCEC and CMA CGM form joint venture to build and operate LNG bunkering vessel

Each party will hold a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture, which has been established for the purpose of constructing, chartering, and operating one 20,000 cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel.

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June 16, 2026

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Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. (CCEC), an international owner of ocean-going gas vessels, on Friday (12 June) announced the formation of a joint venture company with CMA CGM. 

Each party will hold a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture, which has been established for the purpose of constructing, chartering, and operating one 20,000 cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel. 

The joint venture marks CCEC’s entry into the LNG bunkering segment, the company’s first vessel dedicated to marine fuel supply.

In connection with this transaction, the joint venture has entered into a shipbuilding contract with Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) for the construction of the vessel at a contract price of USD 82.8 million, with delivery expected in the third quarter of 2028.

Incorporating the latest technologies, the vessel is designed to enable safe and reliable LNG transfers across a wide range of operating conditions. Advanced emissions reduction systems, combined with highly efficient dual-fuel power generation, are designed to help the vessel meet applicable environmental standards of the global shipping industry.

In addition, the joint venture is expected to enter into a 12-year time charter with a joint venture company formed between CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, commencing upon delivery of the vessel from the shipyard.

Jerry Kalogiratos, CEO of Capital Clean Energy Carriers, commented: “This joint venture marks CCEC’s entry into LNG bunkering — a natural extension of our gas platform from carriage into marine fuel supply. 

“Working alongside counterparties of the calibre of CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, we can help build the infrastructure that allows LNG to deliver a cleaner emissions profile, alongside security and diversity of supply, while opening a new, long-term contracted revenue stream for the Company through the Joint Venture.”

Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President Operations and Assets of CMA CGM, said: “Together with Capital Clean Energy Carriers and TotalEnergies, we are committed to building a reliable and high-performance LNG bunkering supply chain, which is essential to ensuring the availability and reliability of fuels such as LNG that represent the first step in the decarbonization of our industry.”

 

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 16 June, 2026

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