Alternative Fuels

SIBCON 2024: Delegates focus on Singapore’s roadmap for clean marine fuels and digitalisation in final session

Singapore marine fuel sales could reach 54 million mt in 2024, forecasts Caroline Yang, President of SSA and Vice Chair of ICS.

Published

2 years ago

October 22, 2024

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The final session of the 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON 2024) on Thursday (10 October) focused on Singapore’s maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation ambitions.

Caroline Yang, President, Singapore Shipping Association, and Vice Chair, International Chamber of Shipping, performed the role of moderator for the session titled MPA and Industry Dialogue on the Singapore Road Map for Clean Fuels and Digitalisation.

Ms Yang set the scene by highlighting Singapore’s position as the top bunkering port in the world, with bunker sales reaching around 52 million metric tonnes (mt) in 2022. She forecast sales of marine fuel at the republic could reach 54 million mt in 2024.

She also outlined the key factors that have contributed to Singapore’s success as a bunkering hub, including its strategic location, competitive fuel pricing, availability of diverse fuel supplies, efficient bunkering operations, and robust standards and assurance.

Ms Yang posed a question to a Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) representative asking how does Singapore ensure its continued success as the republic’s bunkering sector moves towards a multi-fuel future.

Wei Siang MPA

New Wei Siang, Director (Maritime Decarbonisation & Net-Zero Pathways), MPA responded to the moderator’s question by providing an overview of MPA’s initiatives in both digitalisation and decarbonisation and willingness to work closely with stakeholders to enable the transition.

On digitalisation, Mr New emphasised MPA’s efforts to digitalise as much of the voyage as possible to improve efficiency, from port clearances to voyage optimisation, as exemplified by a recent announcement on digital bunkering.

Regarding decarbonisation, Mr New highlighted MPA’s focus areas, such as reducing emissions from port terminals and domestic harbour craft, as well as supporting the transition to future low and zero-emission fuels for international shipping.

He acknowledged the challenges around the “chicken and egg” problem of supply and demand for alternative bunker fuels, and stated MPA is trying to help nudge the industry along through initiatives such as the refreshed Maritime Singapore Green Initiative (MSGI).

Mr New also stated that MPA is willing to work closely with industry players, provide feedback, and actively contribute at international platforms such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the energy transition.

Sheen Mao EMF

Choong Sheen Mao, Chief Operating Officer of Singapore’s largest bunker supplier Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services (EMF) provided the perspective of a major bunker supplier on navigating the transition towards a multi-fuel future in Singapore’s bunkering ecosystem.

“Marine fuels is our core business. Looking at what our customers need, we realise we must gain experience and expertise in providing low and zero carbon bunker fuels to shipowners,” said Mr Choong.

“We started by getting ISCC certified, followed with biofuel trials. And now, we have invested in four new generation bunker tankers which can carry methanol and biofuel bunker blends of up to B100 including conventional marine fuels. Our first such tanker will be delivered at the end of 2024 together with three more across the next year. So, this gives us a bit of a range of capabilities.

“We are also involved in several initiatives launched by the MPA, such as participating in the EOI for methanol supply as a marine fuel. Other than that, we and Fortescue are jointly shortlisted, together, as a participant for the development of ammonia bunkering in Singapore.”

He discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with digitalisation and decarbonisation, emphasising the need for regulatory certainty and cost efficiency.

“We’ve accepted that digitalisation is no longer just to increase efficiency, it’s become a necessity,” said Mr Choong.

“Since 2018, we started our own technology department; we have gone through a few mistakes here and there – but I think we have learnt a lot.

“Interoperability is very important because you are going to be in a very tricky situation if you start with a platform or technology which you must deconstruct and rebuild the whole thing. We need to make sure our existing systems can be compatible with the different stakeholders in the industry.”

While decarbonisation efforts come with increased costs, it is important to be pragmatic and view it as an “insurance cost” to manage the risk of being left behind if certain marine fuel pathways emerge, he observed.

“Decarbonisation is a very expensive endeavour,” highlighted Mr Choong.

“Our focus is on optionality. We need to be able to hedge on risk by working together to help us to avoid more avoidable mistakes; this will help us bring down costs and keep us more focused and efficient while speeding up both digitalisation and decarbonisation at the same time.”

Manifold Times has covered SIBCON 2024 extensively. The following are all articles on the event to help readers recap on exciting announcements and panel discussions:

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 October 2024

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Biofuel

South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

Company says it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply.

Published

3 hours ago

July 23, 2026

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South Korea: S-Oil launches B30-VLSFO bio bunker fuel supply

South Korean petroleum and refining company S-Oil on Wednesday (22 July) said it has started supplying B30 very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), as the company seeks to support shipping’s decarbonisation efforts and growing demand for lower-carbon bunker fuels.

The company said its B30 VLSFO contains 30% sustainable biofuel blended with conventional VLSFO and can be used without requiring modifications to existing vessels, enabling shipowners to comply more readily with emissions regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union (EU).

S-Oil said it has established an integrated operating system in the Ulsan region covering the entire value chain, from feedstock procurement and blending to supply. The system combines VLSFO produced at its Onsan refinery with biofuel production facilities and storage infrastructure in the Ulsan region, allowing the entire process to be carried out within a single logistics hub.

According to the company, the integrated supply chain reduces transportation requirements during production while improving supply efficiency and reliability.

S-Oil also highlighted Ulsan Port as a strategic location for marine biofuel supply, noting the port has strong demand for bio-bunker fuels, particularly from car carriers, enabling prompt and stable deliveries to key customers.

An S-Oil official stated: “In the bio-marine fuel market, not only product quality but also securing a stable supply of raw materials and an efficient supply system are important competitive advantages.

“Based on our existing bunkering business capabilities and the excellent supply infrastructure in the Onsan area, we plan to supply stable and competitive low-carbon fuel.”

Photo credit: S-Oil
Published: 23 July, 2026

Bunker Fuel

Antwerp-Bruges biofuel bunker sales drops 36% on year in Q2 2026, LNG down 13.4%

Biofuel recorded 26,833 mt in Q2 2026 with 41,939 mt recorded in the same period the year before while port data showed 76,513 mt of LNG being delivered in Q2 2026, down from 88,328 mt.

Published

3 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Admin

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges recently published bunker fuel sales data for the second quarter (Q2) of 2026.

Total bunker sales at the port was 2.05 million metric tonnes (mt) in Q2 2026, compared to sales of 1.99 million mt (+3%) during the similar period in 2025.

Deliveries of ultra low sulphur fuel oil, very low sulphur fuel oil, high sulphur fuel oil and marine gas oil in Q2 2026 (against on year) recorded respectively 164,987 mt (+43.6% from 114,917 mt), 537,926 mt (+12.8% from 476,746 mt), 659,182 mt (+11.6% from 590,544 mt) and 366,329 (-15.7% from 434,766 mt).

Biofuel recorded 26,833 mt in Q2 2026 with 41,939 mt (-36%) recorded in the same period the year before.

Port data showed 76,513 mt of liquefied natural gas (LNG) being delivered as a marine fuel in Q2 2026, down by 13.4% from 88,328 mt in Q2 2025. Meanwhile, there has been no deliveries of methanol at the port for the year so far.

Photo credit: Port of Antwerp-Bruges
Published: 23 July, 2026

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”.

Published

1 day ago

July 22, 2026

Admin

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