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SMW 2021: MPA, BW Group, Sembmarine, EPS, ONE, DNV, BHP decarbonisation efforts recognised

‘Let’s think of how we can achieve this goal together; “and” not “all”; “multiply” not “divide” and “integrate” not “differentiate”’, states Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Transport.
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Efforts by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), BW Group, Sembcorp Marine, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Ocean Network Express, Foundation Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and BHP to establish a fund for a maritime decarbonisation centre to be set up in Singapore has been recognised by the local government.

Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Transport, shared a speech with delegates prior to witnessing the signing of memorandum of cooperation (MoC) agreements between the parties on Wednesday (21 April) morning.

“I’m heartened by the participation of six industry players, BW Group, Sembcorp Marine, Eastern Pacific shipping, Ocean Network Express Foundation, DNV, and BHP coming on board to sign the MoC together,” he said.

“I think this is a good start and I hope more partners can come on board in due time.”

Under the MoC, each private sector partner will contribute SGD 10 million (USD 7.5 million) to support the establishment of the centre, fund maritime-decarbonisation-related research and technology development projects and collaborate with institutes of higher learning and research institutes.

MPA will add SGD 60 million R&D funding to these contributions, bringing the fund to a total of SGD 120 million.

In his speech, SMS Chee introduced three concepts mirroring the republic’s ideology towards the development of green marine fuels and decarbonisation through the maritime decarbonisation centre.

First Concept of ‘And’ versus ‘All’

“The first is the concept of ‘and’ versus ‘all’. This is important because sometimes we end up asking ourselves if we should choose A or B or C; for example, LNG, or ammonia, or hydrogen,” SMS Chee told delegates.

“Maybe the answer is not ‘all’; maybe the answer is ‘and’. So this concept of ‘and’ versus ‘all’ is something useful for us to bear in mind because I don’t believe that we have one single silver bullet that can solve the entire decarbonisation challenge for the industry.”

He shared the Singapore maritime industry will need to be open to consider a range of decarbonisation solutions suiting different timelines and technical considerations.

“And maybe, the final outcome is a combination or all the above,” he stated.

“Likewise, I don’t think fuel is the only thing that we should pay attention to. Fuel is one very important area, but it is just one of the areas.

“We also have to look at other aspects of how to reduce carbon emissions in the maritime industry. So that’s the first concept of ‘and’ rather than ‘or’.”

Second Concept of ‘Multiply’ not ‘Divide’

SMS Chee further believed the concept of ‘multiply’ versus ‘divide’ to be important.

“A lot of these efforts that we’re going to have to put in to achieve the goals will require long term and significant investments. Governments, or companies, workers, and everyone has to chip in,” he continued.

“So rather than divide our efforts with each one doing our own research silos independently and not working together, we can achieve this very challenging goal if we work together; and we are able to then multiply our efforts. So that’s the second point, ‘multiply’ not ‘divide’.”

Third Concept of ‘Integrate’ not ‘Differentiate’

Lastly, SMS Chee highlighted the maritime decarbonisation centre will be able to integrate the R&D efforts from multiple parties for optimal results.

“There are many different technologies and solutions and if we end up developing them separately they’re not able to be integrated to talk to one another […] we are not going to be able to achieve the optimal,” he states.

“So, what we want is to bring together partners from different parts of the value chain, research institutions, companies, governments, port authorities so that we are able to not just develop and test bed solutions, we are also able to put them into real life applications and see how they work under real life conditions whether they produce results.”

SMS Chee notes the MPA is also looking at research in carbon pricing mechanisms, carbon accounting, and green financing as part of recommendations by the International Advisory Panel on Maritime Decarbonisation.

“So to sum up, let’s think of how we can achieve this goal together; ‘and’ not ‘all’; ‘multiply’ not ‘divide’ and ‘integrate’ not ‘differentiate’. I wish the centre a great success.”

Related: SMW 2021: MPA & Partners ink SGD 120 million fund to establish maritime decarbonisation centre
Related: SMW 2021: IAP submits maritime decarbonisation recommendations to Singapore Government

The Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2021 is taking place between 19-23 April 2021; further articles written by media partner Manifold Times as part of SMW 2021 are as follows:

Related: SMW 2021: Shell, MPA & Sembcorp Marine to trial hydrogen fuel cell with RoRo vessel retrofit
Related: SMW 2021: Penguin Shipyard receives Bureau Veritas certification for first hybrid vessel
Related: SMW 2021: Norsepower partners Keppel O&M’s tech arm for global installation of Rotor Sails
Related: SMW 2021: MPA unveils programs to step up Maritime Innovation in Singapore
Related: SMW 2021: Maritime Drone Estate launched as Test Bed for Drone Technologies
Related: SMW 2021: Open call for JIP applications to accelerate digitalisation of bunker sector
Related: SMW 2021: digitalPORT@SGTM Phase 2 launched to reduce carbon footprint at port
Related: SMW 2021 opens with launch of decarbonisation blueprint to realise ‘new frontiers’
Related: SMW 2021: 10 companies celebrated for contributions to Singapore’s maritime industry
Related: SMW 2021: Industry leaders call for maritime to take transformative, collaborative action
Related: SMW 2021: Advanced Maritime program focuses on leadership amidst global crises

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 April, 2021

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 800th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FUELNG Venosa” delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier “MV Ubuntu Humanity” at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July.

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Singapore: FueLNG completes 800th LNG bunkering operation

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Friday (17 July) announced the successful completion of its 800th LNG bunkering operation in the republic.

The company said bunker tanker FUELNG Venosa delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier MV Ubuntu Humanity at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July. 

“This achievement is more than just a number,” FueLNG said.

“It reflects the trust our customers place in us, the dedication of our operations team, the professionalism of our marine partners, and our unwavering commitment to safe, efficient, and reliable bunker deliveries.” 

Manifold Times previously reported FueLNG completing its 500th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

Related: Singapore: FueLNG achieves milestone of 500th STS LNG bunkering operation

 

Photo credit: FueLNG
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Methanol

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 mt annually.

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July 20, 2026

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Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Ship design and engineering service provider Western Baltic Engineering on Thursday (16 July) showcased its latest concept design for a green methanol bunkering vessel, developed for the operational needs of the Port of Klaipėda.

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) annually. 

“It is Western Baltic Engineering’s first concept dedicated exclusively to green methanol bunkering, expanding our portfolio of alternative-fuel vessel solutions,” the company said in a social media post.

“Building on our experience in methanol-ready vessel design, it reflects our continued focus on enabling the industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.”

“As the maritime sector evolves, engineering companies have a responsibility not only to respond to market needs but also to anticipate future challenges,” said Marius Arkusauskas, Director at Western Baltic Engineering.

“By exploring emerging technologies and alternative fuel applications, we help our partners prepare for the next generation of maritime operations while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

 

Photo credit: Western Baltic Engineering
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Repsol supplied 2,800 mt of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, “Antonia Maersk”, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean.
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Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Spanish energy company Repsol and shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) completed the first bioethanol bunkering operation in the Port of Barcelona, according to the port authority on Wednesday (15 July). 

Repsol successfully supplied 2,800 metric tonnes (mt) of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, Antonia Maersk, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean. 

The operation demonstrates growing demand for alcohol-based marine fuels, as well as the readiness of the infrastructure, logistics, and operational capabilities required to support their deployment at commercial scale. 

Juan Abascal, Repsol’s Executive Managing Director of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy, said: “With this supply, we reaffirm our commitment to the decarbonization of maritime transport through solutions that are available today and ready to scale in the future. 

“At Repsol, we provide shipping companies with a reliable supply chain and a multi-energy strategy that combines different renewable fuels to support the sector in a safe, competitive, and sustainable transition.”

The supply took place in the Port of Barcelona under fully commercial conditions, bringing together key players across the maritime value chain and demonstrating how collaboration can accelerate the adoption of lower-emission solutions in shipping. 

The delivery was carried out by Bahía Candela, Repsol’s newest bunker vessel, operated by Mureloil and designed to supply both conventional marine fuels and next-generation energy products. 

During the bunkering operation, Bahía Candela operated using its battery system, enabling the fuel transfer to be completed with zero local emissions, and further reducing the environmental footprint of the operation. 

Prior to the bunkering, Maersk tested ethanol on one of its smaller vessels, the 1,800 TEU feeder vessel Laura Maersk, which in 2023 became the world’s first dual-fuel container vessel able to operate on methanol. Today, Maersk has 23 dual-fuel container vessels designed to operate on methanol; however, the company continues to explore ethanol as an alternative fuel for its methanol-enabled vessels. Laura Maersk has performed sailings on 100% ethanol as well as blends of ethanol and methanol. 

Emma Mazhari, Vice President Energy Markets at Maersk, said: “Following the successful ethanol trials conducted on Laura Maersk, this latest bunkering of Antonia Maersk marks another important step in our efforts to explore scalable low-emission fuel solutions. 

“As the first ethanol trial on one of our large dual-fuel vessels, with a capacity of 16,000 TEU, it allows us to deepen our understanding of ethanol’s operational potential at scale. 

“Building on the experience we have gained with methanol, we are working closely with port authorities and industry partners to develop the infrastructure and procedures needed to support ethanol bunkering. Ethanol is one of several pathways we are pursuing to diversify our future fuel portfolio and help accelerate the development of new, viable liquid marine fuel markets.”

 

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 20 July, 2026

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