Panel members consisting of Singapore’s maritime and port regulator Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), legal firm Rajah & Tann, bunker trading firm Sing Fuels, and the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) discussed the complexities of maritime decarbonisation at APPEC 2026 on Thursday (10 September).

The panel Balancing the Bunker Fuel Mix on the Path to Decarbonization moderated by John Morley, Global Director, Crude and Fuel Oil Markets, S&P Global Energy explored the complex landscape of maritime decarbonisation, sanctions fragmentation, and the transition to alternative marine fuels in Singapore.

Panellists broadly agree regulatory clarity – particularly from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – is the single most critical enabler for large-scale investment, whilst highlighting regional fragmentation, crew competency gaps, and trade finance constraints pose significant near-term challenges.

Biofuels were seen as the most immediately scalable alternative marine fuel, with methanol and ammonia as longer-term prospects.

The following points were raised by panel members during discussion:

New Wei Siang, Director, Maritime Decarbonisation & Net-Zero Pathways, MPA, advocated for a global, IMO-led regulatory framework to guide shipping’s decarbonisation.

He believed regional patchwork regulations create unhelpful uncertainty, whereas a unified approach would be more helpful for long-term investment.

While acknowledging progress at recent IMO inter-sessional meetings held in September has been “slow but deliberate,” he remains focused on the upcoming MEPC 85 scheduled from November 30 to December 3, 2026.

To address the technical and safety challenges of new bunker fuels, he pointed out the MPA has established the Maritime Energy Training Facility (METF) to upskill crews on handling future marine fuels including methanol.

Furthermore, the MPA has launched ten green and digital shipping corridor partnerships to trial alternative fuels, exchange knowledge, and raise safety standards.

Mr New emphasised Singapore’s goal is to serve as a comprehensive maritime hub, balancing global regulatory engagement with practical, collaborative efforts to build competency for the future.

Nathanael Lin, Partner, Shipping & International Trade, Rajah & Tann Singapore, highlighted the significant legal and commercial challenges posed by regulatory fragmentation.

He argued regional environmental rules, such as those in the EU, force shipowners to make high-stakes gambles on trade routes and infrastructure until the IMO codifies standards into MARPOL Annex VI.

He also noted sanctions compliance has become dramatically more complex, with competing unilateral regimes replacing the previous era of UN consensus, creating immense operational risk for industry participants.

Furthermore, Mr Lin warned trade finance frameworks are currently ill-equipped to handle the complexities of blended alternative bunker fuels; he recommended banks to actively upskill their compliance functions to support the maritime energy transition.

Finally, he observed while claims regarding alternative marine fuels remained low due to the sophistication of early adopters, they will likely rise as adoption broadens. He also flagged the future migration of residual fuel demand as a critical, under-examined industry issue.

Juwita Setiawan, Trading Manager & New Fuels Lead, Sing Fuels, emphasised the energy transition has been making bunkering increasingly complex due to overlapping regulations.

She advocated for holistic voyage planning, where shipowners consider total emissions, costs, and marine fuel flexibility rather than evaluating port calls in isolation. She highlighted the critical role of high-quality data, fuel flexibility, including dual-fuel capabilities and fuel optimisation as essential tools for navigating the increasingly complex energy transition and supporting a practical pathway towards decarbonisation.

Regarding market structure, Ms Setiawan believed a symbiotic partnership between large integrated energy companies – which provide necessary capital and infrastructure – and agile, specialist suppliers is vital for success.

She identified biofuels and LNG as the most viable near-term maritime decarbonisation solutions, with methanol emerging as a mid-term option.

Ultimately, even though government incentives remain essential to help shipowners manage the high costs associated with adopting greener bunker fuels, regulatory clarity is the single most important factor to simplify market trading.

Looking ahead, she believes three things need to happen over the next three years:

1. Clear and stable regulation – Shipowners and fuel suppliers need regulatory certainty and confidence to make long-term investments.
2. Scale in supply and infrastructure – The industry needs to move beyond pilot projects towards reliable volumes, competitive pricing and stronger infrastructure across major bunkering hubs.
3. Greater confidence in the fuels themselves – Common standards, proven technologies and reliable fuel performance will be essential to building trust and accelerating adoption.

“At Sing Fuels, we believe the transition is not about choosing one fuel for every vessel. It is about optimising the right fuel, at the right place, at the right cost, with the right emissions outcome – while keeping operational realities at the centre of the decision.

Siti Noraini Zaini, Regional Manager, Asia, IBIA, identified energy security and decarbonisation as objectives that need not be competing, noting that when energy security is under pressure, the immediate focus naturally shifts towards availability, reliability and affordability.

Over the longer term, however, a diversified marine fuel mix ultimately enhances industry resilience.

She stressed low carbon fuels alone is insufficient; shipowners need confidence that fuels will be available to meet the demand, where they are needed and at commercially manageable prices.

A critical focus for Ms Siti is the parallel development of standards. She warned the industry could not wait for the market to mature before establishing protocols. Standards for fuel quality measurement, green bunkering procedures, safety, and crew competency must be developed alongside the fuels themselves.

Looking ahead, she identified the upcoming MEPC 85 meeting as the industry’s primary regulatory watchpoint. Achieving clarity at the meeting is essential to enable the safe, financed, and commercially viable bunkering of new marine fuels, ensuring shipping’s decarbonisation transition remains both practical and sustainable.

Photo credit: S&P Global
Published: 14 September 2026