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V-Bunkers plans operations of up to four hybrid bunker tankers at Singapore market

Shift Clean Energy, with partner Red Offshore, and SeaTech Solutions have entered into a partnership to develop Singapore’s first hybrid bunker tankers.
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Vancouver-based energy storage systems (ESS) solutions provider Shift Clean Energy (Shift) and Singapore-based vessel design and engineering firm SeaTech Solutions (SeaTech) on Tuesday (8 March) entered into a partnership to provide Vitol’s bunker operations company, V-Bunkers, with Singapore’s first hybrid bunker tankers.

The vessels will be designed by SeaTech, using Shift’s ESS systems. This marine electrification project will see up to four hybrid bunker tankers provided to V-Bunkers, all fitted with Shift’s 480-Kwh liquid cooled ESS and battery management systems. This will result in improved fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 10% a year.

Shift currently supplies battery-based ESS technology to the marine industry, as well as its PwrSwäp pay-as-you-go power service to on land customers such as ports, terminals, offshore wind farms and beyond. The use of battery technology in marine energy is quickly expanding as the shipping industry continues to transition to greener energy sources in the effort to reduce its carbon footprint.

Shift’s ESS will be primarily used for peak shaving (storing energy during low power consumption for use during peak usage periods, allowing main generators to operate with a more stable load). This solution helps to optimise energy use, significantly reduce fuel and maintenance costs, improve responsiveness and reliability of power management and in turn enhances safety of operations.

“With our partners Red Offshore, we’re excited to be partnering with V-Bunkers on this important clean energy initiative for their hybrid bunker tanker operations in Singapore,” said Brent Perry, Shift’s CEO.

“This demonstrates that there are opportunities to reduce GHGs for oil and gas companies anywhere in the supply chain. V-Bunkers is showing tremendous leadership with this electrification project and Shift is proud to be part of such a huge step in decarbonising the short sea shipping sector. We look forward to developing our relationship with them and supporting their leadership in shifting to clean energy solutions in the sector.”

The move to adopt Shift’s clean energy solution will help decarbonise the V-Bunkers’ fleet operations and support the company’s ongoing emissions reduction and commercial objectives.

V-Bunkers is a supplier of barge logistics services in the port of Singapore. Their new venture into GHG-reducing ESS use builds on their commitment to achieving high standards of cleaner, more sustainable barge operatorship.

“A bunkering fleet is a crucial component of global shipping infrastructure, so it makes sense to look at ways to reduce GHGs here,” said Mike Muller, Head of Vitol Asia.

“Adopting the right fuel efficiency technology is imperative to the sector’s growth and development and we look forward to implementing Shift’s ESS to offer the highest levels of safety and efficiency throughout our bunker craft operations.”

Prabjot Chopra, Vice President of Technology of SeaTech, said: “We are delighted to work with Vitol’s Singaporean bunker operations company, V-Bunkers, which recently received the Green Ship Award from Maritime and Port Authority Singapore.”

“The new hybrid bunker tankers are tailored and optimised for their operating profile to reduce the GHG emission by about 10% without significantly increasing the capital expenditures. Shift’s ESS was specified for this design for its superior safety and efficiency.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 9 March, 2022

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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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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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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
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July 21, 2026

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ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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