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IBIA Convention 2020: Session summary of the APAC – Legal, Compliance and Regulations Panel

Representatives of INTERTANKO, Helmsman and Rajah & Tann gather to discuss IMO 2020, legal frameworks for the purchase and supply of alternative marine fuels, and the handling of bunker claims.
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APAC Legal Compliance and Regulations Panel final

Discussions at the Asia-Pacific edition of the Legal, Compliance and Regulations Panel took place on the second day of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) Convention on Wednesday (11 November, 2020).

Representatives from INTERTANKO, Helmsman and Rajah & Tann spoke about the implementation of IMO 2020, legal frameworks for the purchase and physical supply of new and alternative marine fuels, and the handling of bunker claims in a session moderated by Singapore bunker publication Manifold Times.

INTERTANKO – IMO 2020 implementation and regulation of bunker suppliers

Elfian Harun, the Environment Manager and Assistant Regional Manager for Asia-Pacific at the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), believes the implementation of IMO 2020 was not without problem, but the industry seems to have sorted out the issues based on the declining number of issues being reported.

“This is no thanks to the tremendous amount of work put in by the shipping industry, oil producers, International Maritime Organization (IMO), Member States and fuel standard setting organisations, not forgetting that the IMO 2020 regulation was first passed in 2008 by the IMO,” he said.

“Overall, at INTERTANKO we think more could be done in terms of regulating the bunker suppliers.”

Harun notes the MARPOL regulations seems to unfairly target ships, and believes this treatment to be unfair as bunker fuel related issues often stem from the supply side; this can be solved if bunker suppliers were regulated.

“INTERTANKO has been campaigning for the regulation of bunker suppliers,” he adds.

“In a simple analogy, if you stop suppliers from offering bad fuel into the market you won’t have any issues on the ship.

“Using the Houston contamination case as an example, if we knew the source of the cargo we could have prevented contaminated fuel from reaching Singapore. We feel this is something which a licensing regime could help.”

Helmsman – Bunker procurement contracts and ‘unfair’ treatment of shipowners

Maureen Poh, Director of international law firm Helmsman, shared shipping companies are increasing seeking advice from external lawyers to update their current bunker supply contracts.

“Bunker procurement contracts shouldn’t be created with just input from the commercial guys; advise should also be sorted from the technical personnel and legal teams as well,” recommends Poh.

“This year, I’ve actually advised on quite a number of bunker procurement contracts for owners and charterers.

“Now, we are observing bunker contracts adjusting to include greater timelines for quality disputes; bunker contamination due to the Houston problem; and maritime liens as a result of the OW Bunker debacle.”

Poh echoed INTERTANKO’s view of the parity between shipowner and bunker suppliers, where shipowners are being blamed for non-compliance of IMO 2020 related marine fuel regulations.

“It really seems that owners are bearing the brunt of all these regulations regarding low sulphur fuel and that is something quite unfortunate because I think shipping is really a cooperation between owners and charterers,” she says.

“And I guess it really depends on the bargaining power between both parties. We have seen many contracts where owners tried to allocate some of the risk regarding bunkers to charterers; but that doesn’t always work when you have well-balanced counterparties involved.

“Earlier in October, a number of big global traders came together to make a commitment towards lowering greenhouse gases emissions by implementing a transparent reporting system.

“So, I think that’s a way of making parties in the shipping chain more involved and more responsible. Regarding, greenhouse gas emissions, we surely cannot put most of the blame on owners, because that’s pretty unfair, my opinion. It needs collaborative efforts between owners, traders, bunker suppliers and regulators.”

Rajah & Tann – TSP & flashpoint cases, and the settlement of bunker claims

Max Lim, Partner at law firm Rajah & Tann Singapore, said he has encountered several bunker claims regarding total sediment potential (TSP) and flashpoints this year.

“However, thankfully, in my experience, many of these cases have actually reached settlement at a very early stage. I believe that the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has greatly reduce any impetus or desire for long legal fights, be in arbitration or in the courts,” shared Lim.

“What has proven to be very instrumental in the outcome of these cases, is evidence.

“For shipowners, it is highly essential that evidence and samples are retained, and proper records are kept. Apart from seeking legal advice early in the game, shipowners will also benefit from retaining technical experts from the get go.

“So at the end of the day, really, this is all about having all your ducks in a row and being ready.”

Lim noted the Covid-19 pandemic has reduced the demand for air travel and this has resulted in jet fuel becoming a fairly popular blending component in the production of low sulphur bunker fuel for the marine industry.

The development has caused more off-spec claims due to lower flashpoint generated; the higher flammability of marine fuel may lead to a very serious safety risk for ships, he says.

Lastly, Lim noted mediation – a fairly popular and effective mechanism of dispute settlement between businesses – has not been as widely accepted by the bunkering industry as one would expect.

“Based on my personal experience as far as bunker claims go, be it for contamination or others, mediation somehow is not so common,” he notes.

“My personal take is this: For bunker players, given the network of relationships between the traders, they perhaps find it easier to resolve matters amongst themselves without having to resort to a neutral third party.

“So, if I may just summarise. Really, I think that at the end of the day the lesson learnt is all things in life is about finding the right mix and blending in.”

 

Photo credit: International Bunker Industry Association
Published: 16 November, 2020

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.
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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.
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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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July 21, 2026

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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