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MPA, Shell to develop low-and-zero-carbon bunker fuels in Singapore

MPA and Shell will collaborate, as part of a five-year MoU, to advance adoption of electric harbour craft and development of low-and-zero-carbon fuels in Singapore.
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Singapore bunker tankers

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Monday (17 April) said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Shell Eastern Trading Pte Ltd (Shell) to expand collaboration on the maritime decarbonisation efforts in Singapore.

The MoU was signed by Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA and Mr Nick Potter, General Manager of Shell Shipping and Maritime for Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The signing was witnessed by Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Transport and Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations and Chairman of Shell Companies in Singapore, Ms Aw Kah Peng. 

As part of the five-year MoU, MPA and Shell will work together to advance the adoption of electric harbour craft and the development of low-and-zero-carbon fuels in Singapore.

To support the adoption of electric harbour craft, MPA and Shell will identify energy-related development opportunities. This includes collaboration on charging infrastructure for electric harbour craft. Both parties will also work together on the research and development of low-and-zero-carbon fuels. This includes the training of crew in the handling, operations and maintenance of vessels operating on such fuels.    

“MPA is committed to working with industry partners, like Shell, to drive decarbonisation efforts in the maritime sector. Our partnership with Shell will tap into both MPA’s and Shell’s expertise in maritime decarbonisation, renewable energy and innovation. The MoU is an important step towards achieving our 2030 goal for all new harbour craft to be fully electric, be capable of using 100% biofuels or be compatible with net zero fuels, and achieving net zero emissions in our harbour craft, pleasure craft and tugboat sectors by 2050,” said Mr Teo Eng Dih. 

“We are delighted to sign this MoU with MPA which paves the way for continued collaboration on a variety of decarbonisation solutions, including electrification and low-and-zero-carbon fuels. Shell is working closely with industry stakeholders from across the value chain to explore the fuel and technology pathways to shipping decarbonisation, and later this year, we plan to kick off a hydrogen fuel cell trial on a Shell-chartered vessel,” said Mr Nick Potter.

The MoU signing took place at an event held by Shell to unveil the first of a series of electric ferries in Singapore, and the first for Shell globally, held at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Singapore on Pulau Bukom. Shell worked with a Singaporean homegrown shipbuilder and shipowner, Penguin International, on the first fully-electric ferry service in Singapore. Penguin is the turnkey designer, builder, owner and operator of the electric ferries and their rapid shore chargers. 

Dubbed by Penguin as the Electric Dream project, the first electric ferry, Penguin Refresh, is scheduled to commence operations in May, ferrying Shell personnel, contractors, and visitors between Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal and Pulau Bukom. Two additional electric ferries will be operational in August 2023. 

MPA will work with Shell to make its charging facilities at Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Singapore available for other electric harbour craft users. Shell is also exploring the feasibility of expanding the shore charging infrastructure on the island. Please refer to the Annex for the Electric Dream Project factsheet. 

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 17 April, 2023

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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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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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July 21, 2026

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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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