Business

Singapore: Alpha Biofuels uses waste cooking oil for bunkering marine vessels

Alpha Biofuels starts bunkering onboard vessel “Martin Tiga” by converting Used Cooking Oil into biodiesel fuel (BDF).

Published

5 years ago

July 12, 2021

Admin

Singapore-based Alpha Biofuels on Friday (9 July) said it has provided bunker fuel to an ocean-going bulk carrier vessels for the first time, using biodiesel made from Used Cooking Oil (UCO) collected locally from food manufacturers, F&B businesses and households.

The global mining conglomerate Anglo American has successfully trialled the use of sustainable biofuel to power a chartered bulk carrier ship during a voyage from Singapore to South Africa.

The trial was conducted onboard the Frontier Jacaranda, a “capesize” bulk carrier – too large to transit the Suez Canal or Panama Canal – owned by Japanese shipping company NYK Line. It was instrumental in verifying the stability of the biofuel in storage and its performance as a fuel.

Data gathered is providing new insights into wider efforts to introduce biofuel to the maritime sector, paving the way to improving its cost-effectiveness and using higher percentage blends in future trials.

The conversion of waste cooking oil by Alpha Biofuels into biodiesel for transportation, aligns with the principles of the circular economy, by providing a fresh and environmentally beneficial use for what would otherwise be disposed of.

The establishment of the procurement and regular use of biofuel, which are expected to reduce Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) emissions at the Port of Singapore, the world’s largest marine fuel market, will help to shift towards a carbon-free society.

The maritime transport industry, which accounts for at least 2% of the world’s GHG emissions, is facing up to the issue of reducing emissions, as the volume of maritime transportation is expected to continue increasing against the backdrop of growth of the global economy.

In 2018, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a strategy for reducing emissions from ships, setting a target of 50% emissions reduction, compared to the 2008 level by 2050.

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Singaporeans Allan Lim, CEO and co-Founder, on left, and Jack Ling, COO and co-Founder) – pictured on the wharf during the fuelling of the bunkering vessel Marlin Tiga on 9 June – believe Alpha Biofuels can scale up considerably at their plant in Tuas Singapore where they currently turn Used Cooking Oil (UCO) into Biodiesel Fuel (BDF).

Photo credit: Alpha Biofuels
Published: 12 July, 2021

Winding up

Notice of dividend issued for defunct Singapore bunker supplier Inter-Pacific Petroleum

First and final dividend for admitted preferential claims and unsecured claims of Inter-Pacific Petroleum is payable from 31 July, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

20 hours ago

August 3, 2026

Admin

A notice of dividend for defunct Singapore bunker supplier Inter-Pacific Petroleum Pte Ltd, currently in compulsory liquidation, was published on the Government Gazette on Friday (31 July).

The following are the details of the notice:

Name of Company : Inter-Pacific Petroleum Pte. Ltd. (In Compulsory Liquidation)
Unique Entity No./ Registration No. : 201115209N
Address of Registered Office : c/o 6 Shenton Way, OUE Downtown 2 #33-00, Singapore 068809
Court : The High Court of the Republic of Singapore
Number of Matter : Companies Winding Up No.: HC/CWU 37/2021
Amount per centum : 100 cents per Singapore dollar for admitted preferential claims; 0.21 cents per Singapore dollar for admitted unsecured claims
First and Final or Otherwise : First and final dividend for admitted preferential claims; First and final dividend for admitted unsecured claims
When payable : From 31 July 2026 onwards
Where payable : Dividends will be made by interbank transfer to the nominated bank account submitted by the creditor of the Company

Manifold Times previously reported the Appellate Division of Singapore’s High Court finding a former Director of Inter-Pacific Petroleum (IPP) not liable to pay up to USD 146 million of the company’s total USD 156 million loss.

The decision sets aside an earlier decision by the High Court that found Dr Goh Jin Hian responsible for the company’s financial loss.

The Appellate Division of the High Court found that even though it agreed that Dr Goh had breached his duty of care as a director, IPP has failed to show that his breach caused loss to the company.

Lester Ho, Associate Director of multi-disciplinary law firm Helmsman LLC previously shared his timely key takeaways on the case of Dr Goh v Inter-Pacific Petroleum when the Appellate Division of the High Court in Singapore overturned the High Court’s finding that Mr Goh’s breach had caused IPP to incur the losses.

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 3 August, 2026

LNG Bunkering

Shanghai Port surpasses 2 million m³ LNG bunkering milestone with PIL vessel

Achievement was reached on 25 July when PIL’s “Kota Eagle” vessel received 4,549 m3 of LNG marine fuel from SIPG Energy’s LNG bunkering vessel at the Lvhuashan Anchorage off the coast of Shanghai.

Published

20 hours ago

August 3, 2026

Admin

Shanghai Port surpasses 2 million m³ LNG bunkering milestone with PIL vessel

Shanghai Port has surpassed 2 million cubic metres (m³) of cumulative LNG bunkering volume, with Pacific International Lines’ (PIL) Kota Eagle participating in the milestone operation, the Singapore-based container operator said on Monday (3 August).

The company said the achievement was reached on 25 July when PIL’s Kota Eagle vessel received 4,549 m3 of LNG marine fuel from SIPG Energy’s LNG bunkering vessel at the Lvhuashan Anchorage off the coast of Shanghai, China.

“As part of our commitment to decarbonisation, PIL is modernising our fleet by investing in LNG dual-fuel vessels,” it said.

“Delivered in 2024, Kota Eagle is PIL’s first LNG dual-fuel container vessel, and it also completed its maiden LNG bunkering operation at Shanghai’s Yangshan Port. To date, we have taken delivery of nine LNG dual-fuel newbuild vessels.”

PIL added that the landmark achievement by Shanghai Port reflects its rapidly growing bunkering capabilities, which provide the critical support needed for the efficient operation of our expanding fleet of greener vessels.

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 3 August, 2026

Methanol

China’s first domestically developed Ultramax methanol dual-fuel bulker pair named

SDARI says two 65,000 dwt methanol dual-fuel bulk carriers, “LEM AZALEA” and “LEM PLUMERIA”, were named on 27 July at Guangzhou’s Nansha district.

Published

20 hours ago

August 3, 2026

Admin

China's first domestically developed Ultramax methanol dual-fuel bulker pair named

Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) on Wednesday (29 July) said two 65,000 dwt methanol dual-fuel bulk carriers, LEM AZALEA and LEM PLUMERIA, were named on 27 July at Guangzhou’s Nansha district.

The vessels were designed by the SDARI, part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), for Cyprus-based Lemissoler Navigation and built by CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding.

According to SDARI, the vessels are the institute’s first methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier design and China’s first domestically developed Ultramax methanol dual-fuel bulk carriers.

The bulk carriers are equipped with a methanol dual-fuel propulsion system comprising a conventional fuel tank and two dedicated high-capacity methanol fuel tanks, allowing operators to switch flexibly between fuels while meeting current and anticipated IMO requirements on carbon reduction and sulphur emissions.

The vessels are also fitted with an auxiliary lithium battery system to supply onboard lighting power, reducing overall energy consumption.

Compared with conventionally fuelled bulk carriers, the methanol dual-fuel design is expected to significantly reduce carbon dioxide, sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions.

SDARI said the project fills a gap in China’s domestically developed methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier segment in the 65,000 dwt class and provides a mature and scalable design that can be replicated for future vessels.

Photo credit: CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding
Published: 3 August, 2026