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Singapore: Contactless bunkering protocol breach may lead to regulatory action and tort of negligence claims

Associate Director at Helmsman highlights the need to stay up-to-date with latest protocols / measures introduced by MPA, with continuous education of Master and crew of the visiting vessel.
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Manifold Times Bunkering Vessels

The following article on legal responsibility during contactless bunkering operations at Singapore port amidst the Covid-19 pandemic has been written by Jonathan Tan 陈勇仁, Associate Director at Singapore-based specialist international shipping and commodity trading law firm Helmsman LLC; the write-up was made possible through an arrangement led by the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA):

In January 2021, a cluster of COVID-19 cases linked to a bunker tanker NewOcean 6 was reported to have formed, with 10 crew members onboard having tested positive for the virus (as at 5 January 2021).

Since the NewOcean 6 cluster, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has introduced a slew of safety protocols designed to combat the spread of COVID-19. Amongst others, shipowners, agents and masters of vessels must ensure that all operations (including bunkering) are carried out ‘contactless’ or ‘contactless with segregation protocol’. Shore-based personnel (which would include bunker surveyors) who board visiting vessels must be on a 7-day Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) programme and must take an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) after disembarking. In addition, for bunkering operations, the shipowner, master or agent of visiting vessels and service providers involved must minimally ensure the following:

  • Bunker barge crew must not board the visiting vessel;
  • Visiting vessel’s crew must not board the bunker barge;
  • Communicate and/or send documents (e.g. bunker delivery note) by telephone text or email;
  • Visiting vessel’s crew to connect the hose at the vessel’s manifold; and
  • Bunker surveyor must not board the bunker barge.
  • Note: See MPA’s Port Marine Circular No. 31 of 2021 dated 14 July 2021

Shipowners and their local shipping agents need to stay up-to-date with the latest protocols / measures introduced by MPA, which are updated from time to time in light of the evolving COVID-19 situation, and continuously educate the Master and the crew of the visiting vessel.

These protocols are important – they minimise interaction between the visiting vessel’s crew, the bunker barge and bunker surveyor during the bunkering process. As MPA has stated in Port Marine Circular No. 31 of 2021, non-compliance may result in (a) a breach of the MPA (Port) Regulations or the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020; and (b) in the case of bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators and bunker surveyors, a breach of MPA’s licensing conditions.

Assuming that a crew member of the visiting vessel / bunker barge is infected with COVID-19 (and it can be proven that the virus was transmitted during the bunkering process), shipowners and bunker barge operators should, as a starting point, investigate whether the protocols laid down by MPA have been complied with. Under MPA’s protocols, the bunker surveyor boards the visiting vessel, and not the bunker barge; so the main contact point and risk of transmission appears to be between the crew of the visiting vessel and the bunker surveyor or vice versa.

MPA’s protocols arguably suggest that there is a duty of care (and a minimum standard of care) required from each of the various participants in the bunkering process. Therefore, if the protocols have been breached resulting in transmission of the COVID-19 virus, this may potentially lead to a claim in the tort of negligence against the non-compliant party by the affected party. Such a claim would be in addition to any regulatory action which may be taken by MPA against the non-compliant party. If the protocols had been duly observed in the bunkering process, it may be more difficult to argue that someone was at fault / negligent for the COVID-19 transmission; much will depend on the circumstances of the case, including how the virus was transmitted.

Jonathan Tan 陈勇仁,
Associate Director, Helmsman LLC
D:  +65 6950 8660
F:   +65 6950 8664
Email: [email protected]

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 23 July, 2021

This article is intended to provide general information only, and is not to be construed as or relied upon as legal advice. Although we endeavour to ensure that the information contained herein is accurate, we do not warrant its accuracy or completeness or accept any liability for any loss or damage arising from any reliance thereon. The information in this article should not be treated as a substitute for legal advice concerning specific situations. If you would like to discuss the implications of this article on your business or obtain legal advice, please do not hesitate to contact Helmsman LLC. 

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Winding up

Singapore: High Court to hear Norvic Shipping Asia winding up application on 31 July

Application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to Government Gazette notice.
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July 22, 2026

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RESIZED singapore high court

An application for the winding up of Norvic Shipping Asia Pte Ltd was filed by Netherlands-registered Mur Shipping BV on 8 April, according to a Tuesday (21 July) notice on the Government Gazette.

It noted the winding up application is directed to be heard before the Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court at 10am on 31 July.

Any creditor or contributory of the company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the winding up application may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose.

A copy of the winding up application will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the company requiring the copy of the winding up application by the solicitors of the applicant’s, Oon & Bazul LLC, on payment of the regulated charge for the same.

The Applicant’s address is Hiridostraat 5, Gebouw Prismatrium, 1101CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Applicant’s solicitors are Oon & Bazul LLC of 103 Penang Rd, #04-04/05/06 Singapore 238467. 

Queries on the winding up application may be directed to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 July, 2026

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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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July 22, 2026

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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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July 22, 2026

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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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