Alternative Fuels

Singapore: Companies collaborate to explore hydrogen as low-carbon fuel

Five Singapore and two Japanese companies sign MoU to explore commercial feasibility of hydrogen as fuel to reduce the energy sector’s carbon footprint.

Published

6 years ago

March 31, 2020

Admin

Container ship loading Photo by Manifold Times

Singapore-based port operator Jurong Port Pte Ltd on Monday (30 March) said it has joined a group of Singapore and Japanese companies to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to study how hydrogen can contribute to a clean and sustainable energy future for Singapore.

The group, in a joint press release, said its aim is to capture the opportunities offered by low-carbon alternatives as emerging low-carbon alternatives can help to power Singapore’s energy future.

Under the MOU, PSA Corporation Limited (PSA), Jurong Port Pte Ltd (Jurong Port), City Gas Pte Ltd, Sembcorp Industries Ltd, Singapore LNG Corporation Pte Ltd, Chiyoda Corporation (Chiyoda) and Mitsubishi Corporation (Mitsubishi) will develop ways to utilise hydrogen as a green energy source.

This involves the research and development of technologies related to the importation, transportation and storage of hydrogen, it said.

Working closely with Chiyoda, a key technology and supply chain solution partner, the companies said they will identify and demonstrate use cases using Chiyoda’s SPERA Hydrogen, Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) technology to allow hydrogen to be safely transported in chemical tankers at normal atmospheric temperature and pressure.

Mitsubishi stated it will support this development as the main shareholder of Chiyoda.

The five Singapore companies said they will work closely with Chiyoda and Mitsubishi to evaluate the technical and commercial feasibility of hydrogen usage, to develop a business case for hydrogen import and utilisation in Singapore.

“We are delighted to be underlining PSA’s commitment to green initiatives with the signing of this MOU. Lowering carbon emissions to reduce the impact of climate change is a vital pillar of our business, and the direct impact of reducing our carbon footprint through this project is exciting,” said Ong Kim Pong, Regional CEO Southeast Asia, PSA International.

“Powering our horizontal transport with hydrogen is just the beginning, and we will see its application expanding in the future, playing a part in our Smart Grid systems with EMA, and augmenting business adjacencies in our future Tuas Ecosystem.”

“Jurong Port is working with Chiyoda as we believe that the port is well placed to accelerate the development of hydrogen as a viable fuel option for power generation in Singapore’s transition to a low-emissions future”, said Ooi Boon Hoe, Chief Executive Officer, Jurong Port.

“As the producer and retailer of piped town gas for more than 860,000 homes and businesses, City Gas believes in harnessing green energy and technology to support eco-conscious manufacturing and operations,” added Kenny Tan, Chief Executive Officer, City Gas.

“We look forward to study and develop the viability of using green hydrogen in the town gas manufacturing process to further lower carbon emissions.”

“Sembcorp has long held a strong commitment to sustainability and has made it central to our business strategy and operations,” said Neil McGregor, Group President & CEO, Sembcorp Industries “

“Sembcorp’s experience in the region as a provider of renewable energy and sustainability solutions, coupled with our deep technology integration know-how will greatly support the development of the hydrogen economy in Singapore.”

“This MOU marks an important first step towards making another sustainable energy option, namely hydrogen, available for Singapore. SLNG is pleased to be a part of this pioneering and very exciting collaboration, through seeking synergistic ways of using our terminal infrastructure,” commented Tan Soo Koong, CEO, SLNG.

“We are in the midst of a global energy transition, and SLNG is committed to doing what we can to facilitate and catalyse this process.”

Prompted by the very real challenge of climate change, the Singapore Government has been engaging various stakeholders to co-create solutions for Singapore’s Energy Story, said the group.

It adds that the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore will also work with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to tackle the maritime decarbonisation challenge through research and technology development.

“Singapore needs to stay ahead in the research and development of alternative energy sources in our transition towards a low-carbon and low-emission economy,” added Professor Low Teck Seng, Chief Executive Officer, NRF

“We are encouraged that companies are coming together, leveraging each other’s expertise, to study how hydrogen can be used as an emissions-free alternative to existing carbon sources.

“These companies will work alongside our researchers to look at how technologies in this area – such as catalysis and membrane technologies – can be further developed for the production and distribution of hydrogen.

“This effort will be supported by public sector agencies, to accelerate the potential use of hydrogen as a low-carbon solution that will reduce Singapore’s carbon footprint.”

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 31 March, 2020

Alternative Fuels

Olam Agri, Vitol Bunkers wrap up co-processed VLSFO bio-bunkering operation in Singapore

“MV Scion Mathilda” was supplied with 246.5 mt of co-processed VLSFO at the Port of Singapore, comprising 212 mt of conventional VLSFO and 34.5 mt of co-processed CNSL VLSFO.

Published

4 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Admin

Olam Agri, Vitol Bunkers wrap up co-processed VLSFO bio-bunkering operation in Singapore

Agri-business Olam Agri on Thursday (20 August) said it successfully completed Singapore’s first bio-bunkering operation with Vitol Bunkers, using Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) co-processed with Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL), showcasing a waste-to-energy approach.

MV Scion Mathilda was supplied with 246.5 metric tonnes (mt) of co-processed VLSFO at the Port of Singapore, comprising 212 mt of conventional VLSFO and 34.5 mt of co-processed CNSL VLSFO. The product was supplied by Vitol Bunkers and procured by Olam Agri’s ocean freight business.

The fuel was subsequently consumed during a voyage from Caofeidian (China) to Rotterdam (Netherlands), followed by a ballast leg from Rotterdam to Barcarena (Brazil).

Total fuel consumption across the voyage comprised 1,354 mt of VLSFO, 101 mt of MGO and 34.1 mt of co-processed VLSFO. The vessel completed the voyage without any operational remarks, confirming the product’s performance in real-world conditions.

The operation marks a significant step forward in the search for practical, scalable alternatives to conventional marine fuels, and demonstrates that meaningful greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions can be achieved without any change to vessel operations.

Martin Fynbo, Head of Bunkers at Olam Agri’s ocean freight business, said: “The successful deployment of this product, achieving verified greenhouse gas mitigation alongside ensuring operational integrity, serves as a definitive proof of concept. This milestone provides validation to a traditionally risk-averse sector, demonstrating that a previously disregarded bio-product solution can both be operationally viable and sustainable.”

Sherman Yeo, Trading Manager, Vitol Bunkers, said: “This operation proves that co-processed VLSFO can be delivered and consumed at sea without any compromise to vessel performance or operational routine. The mass balance solution we have developed opens up a genuinely new avenue for GHG reduction in marine fuels.”

The co-processed VLSFO carries a GHG intensity of 2.02 gCO2eq/MJ, delivering savings of at least 120 MT CO2eq compared with conventional VLSFO on an equivalent basis. This outcome was achieved with no additional onboard handling or fuel treatment requirements.

Vitol’s co-processing and mass balancing methodology resolves a longstanding challenge in the use of CNSL as a marine biofuel. Direct blending of CNSL has historically been dismissed by the industry due to material compatibility and handling issues. By co-processing CNSL within the refinery stream, Vitol has opened a commercially viable pathway for CNSL to contribute to GHG reduction in shipping.

The co-processed VLSFO used in this operation conforms to RMG380 VLSFO grade and has the same chemical composition and quality as conventional fuel, eliminating the need for additional permissions or special clauses in charter party agreements.

“CNSL, derived as a by-product of cashew processing, represents an underutilised feedstock with genuine potential as a scalable marine biofuel component,” Olam Agri added.

“This trial demonstrates that with the right processing approach, it can be integrated into existing supply chains without disruption.”

Photo credit: Vitol
Published: 21 August, 2026

Alternative Fuels

China: CIMC Enric and Sinopec to team up on LNG, methanol bunker fuels in new deal

Under the new agreement, the companies will deepen cooperation across the LNG value chain and develop bunkering solutions including truck-to-ship bunkering services.

Published

4 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Admin

China: CIMC Enric and Sinopec to team up on LNG, methanol bunker fuels in new deal

Clean energy equipment and services provider CIMC Enric on Monday (17 August) said it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales Co Ltd, covering LNG, green methanol, shipbuilding and new energy for marine applications.

Under the new agreement, the companies will deepen cooperation across the LNG value chain and develop bunkering solutions including truck-to-ship bunkering services. They also plan to expand into emerging marine fuels and energy solutions, including green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The partnership will focus on five areas: energy-resource cooperation, shipbuilding, marine-fuel bunkering, vehicle-related services and integrated services.

The agreement was signed in Shenzhen on 14 August by Yang Xiaohu, executive director and president of CIMC Enric, and Xu Tao, deputy general manager and Party committee member of Sinopec Fuel Oil.

The cooperation will span commercial implementation, industry development and technology innovation.

The partnership comes as the shipping industry accelerates its transition towards lower-carbon fuels amid tightening International Maritime Organization emissions regulations and China’s carbon-reduction goals.

CIMC Enric specialises in equipment for the clean-energy sector, while Sinopec Fuel Oil leverages the resource and supply network of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec). Both said their complementary capabilities provide a basis for moving beyond a conventional equipment-supply relationship towards broader cooperation integrating equipment, fuels, applications and technology.

The two companies began working together in October 2022, initially focusing on LNG and CNG storage and transportation equipment. Their cooperation has since expanded into marine equipment, green methanol bunkering, storage and transportation equipment, and external gas-source procurement.

The companies said they will establish a regular cooperation mechanism and develop detailed projects to accelerate implementation. The partnership is intended to strengthen collaboration between energy-equipment and energy-supply companies and support the maritime industry’s transition towards lower-carbon fuels.

Photo credit: CIMC Enric
Published: 21 August, 2026

Ammonia

Azane signs ammonia bunkering deal with Equinor, first deliveries due in H2 2026

Both signed a framework agreement for the supply of ammonia and the execution of truck-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations for ammonia-fuelled vessels.

Published

4 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Admin

Azane signs ammonia bunkering deal with Equinor, first deliveries due in H2 2026

Azane Fuel Solutions (Azane) on Thursday (20 August) said it has signed a framework agreement with Equinor Energy AS for the supply of ammonia and the execution of truck-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations for ammonia-fuelled vessels.

The first deliveries will commence during the second half of 2026. The agreement establishes a framework for future ammonia fuel deliveries and bunkering operations supporting the maritime industry’s transition towards lower-emission solutions.

“This agreement marks an important milestone for Azane and demonstrates growing confidence in ammonia as a marine fuel,” said Steinar Kostøl, CEO of Azane.

“Truck-to-ship bunkering offers a practical and flexible solution for the early adoption of ammonia-fuelled vessels while the broader ammonia fuel ecosystem continues to develop.”

The agreement covers truck-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations, where ammonia is transported to the quayside and transferred directly to the receiving vessel.

The contract supports Azane’s strategy of enabling near-term deployment of ammonia as a marine fuel while continuing to develop dedicated ammonia infrastructure for future market growth.

Photo credit: Azane Fuel Solutions
Published: 21 August, 2026