Connect with us

Decarbonisation

SMW 2024: Giving the harbour craft sector a leg up in maritime’s decarbonisation drive

‘We have to bring costs down. Financing can be a problem because new, sexy tech comes with a price,” says Mr Michael Phoon of Singapore Shipping Association in a panel discussion.

Admin

Published

2 years ago

on

SMW 2024: Giving the harbour craft sector a leg up in maritime’s decarbonisation drive

The article ‘Giving the harbour craft sector a leg up in maritime’s decarbonisation drive’ was first published on Issue 4 of the Singapore Maritime Week 2024 Show Dallies; it has been reproduced in its entirety on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times with permission from The Nutgraf and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore:

Jaime Niam
[email protected] 

The harbour craft sector is set to go almost fully electric by 2030, but more can be done to ensure it does not get left behind in the shadows of larger ocean-going ships.

One key issue is costs, said panellists at a discussion on transforming the harbour craft sector on Wednesday.

“We have to bring costs down. Financing can be a problem because new, sexy tech comes with a price,” said Mr Michael Phoon, Executive Director of the Singapore Shipping Association, who moderated the panel.

While Ms Huang Sipei, Vice President of Sustainability at Institutional Banking Group, DBS Bank, acknowledged that financing new technology can be a challenge, she also said that the local environment is becoming increasingly hospitable, with DBS Bank being supportive of this green transition.

“Government schemes are helpful in sharing risks with banks and mitigating uncertainties,” she said. For example, homegrown integrated marine and offshore services provider Penguin International took up the Enterprise Financing Scheme-Green loan from DBS Bank and Enterprise Singapore to launch Singapore’s first all-electric commuter ferry, Penguin Refresh, to Pulau Bukom island.

But it is not simply about mitigating the cost of new technology. Because the harbour craft sector is highly fragmented, streamlining and consolidating its business operations – both seaward and landward – is also imperative in lowering costs and enhancing efficiency, said Mr Danny Lien, President of the Singapore Association of Shipsuppliers & Services. As of July 2023, there were about 1,600 harbour crafts plying the waters of the Port of Singapore, though they are owned by many diverse groups of operators.

“We are trying to create a more consolidated effort with Pyxis…Instead of a single company in this industry trying to solve this, we must synergise our resources together,” said Mr Tommy Phun, Founder of Pyxis, a tech start-up that is helping coastal vessels switch from diesel to electricity.

“Going forward, a role that will be extremely important is that of the port orchestrator,” added Mr Nakul Malhotra, Vice President (Emerging Opportunities Portfolio) of Wilhelmsen Group, referring to how the various activities and processes that happen within a port must be coordinated.

The multi-purpose Jurong Port is one good example. “People see (ports) as just infrastructure, but we have capabilities beyond just providing land,” said Mr Desmond Ong, Chief Digital Officer of Jurong Port.

“The data (from the digital platforms and operating systems we built) allows us to streamline the supply side and become more optimal…and industry players can leverage these data points.”

Singapore Maritime Week 2024 was organised by Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore from 15 to 19 April. 

Related: Transport Minister launches Singapore’s first fully-electric ferry “Penguin Refresh”
Related: Homegrown start-up Pyxis unveils Singapore’s first electric port passenger launch

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Article credit: The Nutgraf/ Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 25 April 2024

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

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.

Admin

Published

18 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

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

Continue Reading

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.
Admin

Published

18 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

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

Continue Reading

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.
Admin

Published

18 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

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

Continue Reading

Trending