Singapore and India on Tuesday (25 March) have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to cooperate on maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)

The LOI was inked by Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, and Mr R. Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MOPSW) of India, and witnessed by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and Ministry of Transport, Singapore, and Mr Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India.

Under the LOI, both sides will collaborate on maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation projects, including identifying relevant stakeholders who could contribute to the effort, and work towards formalising the partnership through a memorandum of understanding on a Singapore-India Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC).

India is a leading player in information technology with the potential to become a major producer and exporter of green marine fuels. Singapore, as a key transshipment and bunkering hub, also supports a dynamic research and innovation ecosystem.

The Singapore-India GDSC, when established, will enhance collaboration from both countries and help accelerate the development and uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies and the adoption of digital solutions.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 25 March, 2025

Chemical tankers owner and operator Terntank on Sunday (23 March) announced the double naming ceremony of its first methanol-ready Hybrid Solution Plus® vessels.

The vessels were named Tern Land and Tern Vik – on 21 March at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Yangzhou.

“The naming ceremony, officiated by godmothers Astrid Viseth and Justina Möller, marks a major milestone in Terntank’s continued journey towards sustainable shipping,” it said in a social media post.

Equipped with wind-assisted propulsion, methanol-ready engines, hybrid battery systems, and shore power connectivity, the Hybrid Solution Plus®️ series sets a new benchmark for responsible maritime operations.

In 2023, Manifold Times reported the first steel cut of Terntank’s three methanol-powered 15,000 dwt hybrid tankers took place at the China Merchants Jinling shipyard. 

The Hybrid Solution Plus vessels will be developed from the experience of the previous six Avic Series vessels with additional improvements to reduce environmental impacts.

Related: China Merchants Jinling shipyard begins constructing Terntank methanol powered tankers

Photo credit: Terntank
Published: 25 March, 2024

Singapore-headquartered tanker operator Hafnia on Thursday (20 March) said it is set to launch FuelSure – a digital platform to combat ‘hidden costs’ in the global bunker supply, bringing greater transparency, accountability, and cost savings to the maritime bunker fuel market.

The platform has been developed in collaboration with Studio 30 50, a Venture Growth Team for maritime innovation.

Peter Martin Grünwaldt, VP Head of Bunkers at Hafnia, said: “Hidden costs in bunker supply have plagued the maritime world for decades, with unreliable fuel quality that can cause mechanical breakdowns or even vessel detentions and delivery discrepancies that can prove both costly and imply foul play somewhere in the delivery chain.”

“While bunkers themselves remain costly, these additional factors create significant losses on both a short-term and industry-wide scale. FuelSure addresses these issues head-on by centralising supplier reviews and performance metrics, empowering our crews and trading teams to make data-driven decisions that reduce risks and ultimately benefit the entire global supply chain.”

By integrating real-time vessel feedback, lab analyses, and financial loss data, FuelSure aims to quantify the “value of trust” for shipowners and traders navigating one of the shipping industry’s most opaque sectors – where quantity shortages alone can cost up to USD 5.2 billion annually.

FuelSure collects critical data points each time a vessel takes on fuel, such as barge condition, delivery accuracy, and overall supplier performance—and blends them with lab-verified chemical analyses of the fuel itself. The platform also tracks the downstream financial impact of bad bunkers, from engine damage to operational delays, to provide a comprehensive performance score for every supplier.

FuelSure is currently in beta testing with a select group of industry experts. The platform is set to debut at Singapore Maritime Week on 24 March, where the team will demonstrate its features and gather additional feedback before its wider release.

Hafnia and Studio 30 50 believe this early engagement will ensure the solution meets the rigorous demands of global shipping and paves the way for broader industry adoption. FuelSure’s go-to-market will involve strategic pilots with select fleets, partnerships with testing labs and classification societies, and phased rollouts in major global ports. This is set to lay the groundwork for a more transparent and efficient bunkering ecosystem worldwide.

Shanker Pillai, Head of Studio 30 50, said: “Through our collaboration with Hafnia, we discovered that industry players often have no clear way to evaluate the long-term cost of subpar bunkering. With FuelSure, we are not only shining a light on hidden costs; but also driving a culture of accountability and transparency that could reshape the maritime sector’s approach to fuel procurement.”

Studio 30 50 was launched by Hafnia in collaboration with Hafnia, Microsoft, DNV, IMC Ventures and Wilhelmsen in 2023. The studio’s objective is to identify new solutions which can address a broad range of ESG topics concerning the maritime industry, while also funding innovative proposals (built by startups) which seek to improve efficiencies across the whole maritime supply chain.

Photo credit: Hafnia
Published: 21 March, 2025