The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (3 June) said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company to strengthen collaboration in maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation, innovation, and manpower development. 

The MoU was signed on 25 May 2026 by Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of MPA, and Mr Soren Toft, Chief Executive Officer of MSC.

The MoU underscores the shared commitment of MPA and MSC to foster a sustainable, digital, and future-ready maritime sector, while enhancing MSC’s operational and business activities in Singapore. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of MSC establishing its Asia Regional Office and local office in Singapore.

Under the MoU, MPA and MSC will explore new routes and services to strengthen connectivity, support the adoption of alternative marine fuels such as bio-LNG, and advance technologies to improve vessel energy efficiency and operational performance.

MPA and MSC will also collaborate on maritime digitalisation initiatives to improve operational efficiency, including streamlining vessel arrivals and port operations. 

On manpower development, MSC will support internship and scholarship opportunities through Singapore Maritime Foundation’s Maritime Outreach Network (MaritimeONE) platform, an industry-led tripartite partnership comprising industry, government and institutes of higher learning that aims to raise awareness of the maritime industry and attract quality talent into the maritime sector.

Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “This partnership reflects the strong collaboration between MPA and MSC in driving sustainability and digitalisation in the maritime sector. By working together on decarbonisation, operational efficiency and talent development, we aim to strengthen Maritime Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready global maritime hub.”

Mr Soren Toft, Chief Executive Officer of MSC, said: “Singapore is a strategically important hub for MSC and a key gateway to the broader Asia region. As we mark 30 years in Singapore, this MOU reinforces our long-term commitment to strengthening our presence here. MSC and Singapore are closely aligned on the priorities shaping the future of global shipping, and we look forward to deepening this partnership to drive the continued growth and resilience of the maritime industry.”

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 4 June, 2026

Hong Kong shipowner Wah Kwong Maritime Transport on Friday (22 May) said its subsidiary, Venture Energy, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on green methanol cooperation last month in Beijing, with CSSC Science & Technology (CSST) and China Shipbuilding Trading (CSTC). 

The MoU establishes a long-term offtake framework for green methanol supply.

Last year, Wah Kwong established Venture Energy, a subsidiary focusing on the procurement and trading of clean fuels. Venture Energy connects producers of clean fuels in China to end users around the world, developing plant projects and procuring product for downstream customers and for the potential future requirements of Wah Kwong and other shipowners.

The representatives from the three parties attended the signing ceremony, including Zheng Song, General Manager of CSST, Di Weibing, Assistant General Manager of CSTC, and Greg McMillan, Executive Director of Venture Energy.

Under the MoU, the three parties will expand the scope of cooperation in line with market demand, focusing on the development of green methanol production initiatives and integrated collaboration across production, procurement, technical development and investment. 

This partnership aims to strengthen extensive engagement and technical dialogue, covering areas such as optimising green methanol technology pathways, ISCC EU certification and full-chain delivery solutions, to secure future fuel supply.

By leveraging complementary strengths, the partnership will enhance collaboration among the parties, supporting the maritime sector’s low-carbon transition, while advancing the development of sustainable fuels.

Related: Wah Kwong launches clean fuels procurement and trading subsidiary Venture Energy

Photo credit: Wah Kwong Maritime Transport
Published: 26 May, 2026

UK Asian biotechnology company HutanBio recently entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Oman’s Utopia World Investment (UWI) to support the growth of a sustainable fuels sector, including bunkering, in Oman.

Utopia is a majority shareholder in Wakud International which owns and operates Oman’s first dedicated biodiesel refinery. The collaboration seeks to develop and scale next-generation sustainable biofuel production to address one of the most difficult challenges in the fight against climate change: producing sustainable aviation and maritime fuel at commercial scale.

John Jones, COO of Utopia World BioEnergy, said: “By partnering with HutanBio, Utopia World is proactively building a pipeline of ultra-low carbon feedstocks for 2027 and beyond, ensuring continuity, scalability, and integrity in future fuel production.”

The partnership centers on the commercialisation of HutanBio’s proprietary algae-based oil technology, regarded as a scientific breakthrough for its proven ability to harness a newly discovered genus of algae identified by Dr John Archer, whose distinguished career includes leadership roles at Cambridge, MIT, and as one of the founders of KAUST’s biology department.

HutanBio’s novel microalgae strain demonstrates significantly higher productivity than conventional varieties, offering a potential path to producing sustainable crude alternatives at cost parity with traditional fossil fuels. Significantly, the technology has already proven successful in external pilot operations in Malaysia.

Under the terms of the agreement, Wakud will act as an offtaker as both entities scale their operations. Simultaneously, creating a robust framework for the domestic production and deployment of low-carbon fuels. This initiative arrives at a critical juncture for the aviation industry, which currently utilises less than 0.5% sustainable aviation fuel despite aggressive long-term decarbonisation targets of 25%.

Beyond its environmental impact, the project is expected to stimulate the growth of a specialised biotechnology industry, generating skilled employment opportunities and fostering local research and development capabilities. In addition to producing a green crude oil, the biotechnology has the potential to simultaneously enhance food security with the protein rich biomass byproduct.

Following successful discussions with government representatives and industry leaders, Manshu Agarwal, CEO of HutanBio, said the partnership reflects a shared ambition to position Oman at the forefront of the global clean energy transition.

“Oman is perhaps the single best place on Earth to build and scale this project, particularly because of its geopolitical stability, excellent human capital and refinery infrastructure in oil and gas, and of course the ideal climate for growing this algae,” he stated.

The first site is set to deploy in late 2027, before massive scale expansion in Oman, followed on by deployment through licensing in Asia, Northern Africa, Australia and parts of the US – supporting the needs of the entire aviation and maritime industry. 

By utilising arid coastlines and existing refinery infrastructure, HutanBio’s technology, supported by Wakud’s refinery expertise will transform Oman’s non-arable land into a high-tech biofuel hub to drive decarbonisation in the aviation and maritime sectors.

Photo credit: HutanBio
Published: 22 May, 2026