Singapore: MPA completes first TR 129 methanol bunkering trial with GET and Stellar

Methanol

Published Tue, 2nd December 2025
by Admin

As part of this trial, 3,012 metric tonnes of methanol were bunkered from tanker “MT Kara” to container vessel “Antonio Maersk” on 28 November, says MPA.

Singapore: MPA completes first TR 129 methanol bunkering trial with GET and Stellar

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), on Monday (1 December) said it successfully conducted Singapore’s first trial of the Technical Reference (TR) 129 standard for methanol bunkering on 28 November.

The trial was completed with Global Energy Trading Pte Ltd (GET) and Stellar Shipmanagement Services Pte Ltd (Stellar).

“As part of this trial, 3,012 metric tonnes (mt) of methanol were bunkered from MT Kara to the container vessel Antonio Maersk,” MPA said in a social media post.

“This trial is significant because it validates that methanol bunkering can be carried out safely and efficiently under the new TR129 standard, which sets out clear requirements for the handling, transfer and measurement of methanol as a marine fuel in Singapore.”

TR129 was launched March this year, which marked an important step towards operationalising methanol bunkering at scale and driving Singapore’s ambitions as a sustainable, multi- fuel bunkering hub.

To demonstrate compliance with TR129, MT Kara’s Mass Flow Metering (MFM) system underwent an acceptance test to verify compliance and the MFM system’s performance was validated prior to the operation.

In separate post, Metcore International Pte Ltd said the trial fully met SS648 requirements ahead of the official first delivery.

“The test validated the MFM system’s performance – reinforcing confidence in the system’s readiness for methanol bunkering operations,” the company said.

The bunkering was conducted beyond daylight hours with detailed risk assessments and mitigation measures in place, including on-site weather monitoring by MT Kara and MPA patrol craft equipped with portable lightning detectors.

MPA recently awarded three methanol bunkering licences for a five-year period starting 1 January 2026.

Licences were awarded to GET, Golden Island Pte Ltd, and PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

“Together with the successful completion of this TR129 trial, these efforts strengthen the Port of Singapore’s position as a leading, well-regulated bunkering hub supporting the sector’s decarbonisation pathway,” MPA added.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 2 December, 2025

Singapore: MPA completes first TR 129 methanol bunkering trial with GET and Stellar

Related Posts