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Argus Media viewpoint: Biofuel bunkering in Singapore set to build

Market participants expect biofuel bunkering will transition from mainly being used in trials and pilot studies to actual market pick-up and maturation in 2023, says Sammy Six.

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It has been all about biofuel bunkering in the world’s largest bunkering hub of Singapore in 2022, with the fuel’s rapid uptake widely expected to continue in 2023.

20 December 2022

Back in October senior minister of state for transport Chee Hong Tat said at the Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (Sibcon) that the city-state has supplied about 70,000t of biofuels to ocean-going vessels across more than 40 biofuel bunkering operations so far in 2022.

To put this in perspective, biofuel bunkering sales had already outpaced total LNG bunker consumption of 50,000t in 2021, the most mature alternative bunker fuel of choice.

In Singapore, a maximum of 24pc of biofuels is allowed in a bunker blend, which is also called B24. The remaining 76pc is made up of very-low sulphur fuel oil. It remains to be seen whether this share in the blend can and will increase, as is already the case in Europe and North America.

Vitol and Chevron are the two leading suppliers of B24 at the port of Singapore, with Vitol alone accounting for about half of the quantities sold.

Large international shipping companies such as NYK, Oldendorff, CMA CGM, K-Line and Cosco, among others, started trialling B24 onboard their vessels for ocean-going journeys in 2022 without any complications.

Biofuels are a popular choice for shippers looking to decarbonise their fleet in order to meet the International Maritime Organization’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping.

This is because biofuel blends are a plug-and-play solution that is widely available and do not need engine modifications.

Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority in October 2022 developed a provisional national quality standard for marine biofuels, as well as a framework laying down conditions for biofuel supply for licensed bunker fuel suppliers, to boost the pick-up of biofuels bunkering.

A supporting regulatory framework like this will further stimulate marine biofuel consumption in Singapore, as the industry awaits a global ISO standard.

Multi-fuel future

Market participants expect that biofuel bunkering will transition from mainly being used in trials and pilot studies to actual market pick-up and maturation in 2023.

Already some B24 spot trading is taking place, although most of the volumes sold are under long-term contracts as reported to Argus.

Other low- or zero-carbon bunker fuels such as ammonia, methanol and hydrogen are all potential candidates in a multi-fuel future as well. All of these have, similar to biofuels, positive and negative characteristics relative to conventional marine fuels.

The biofuels used in a B24 blend are currently used cooking oil methyl ester (Ucome), but there are questions regarding the sustainability of future biofuel supplies. Hence, it is possible that the growth in biofuels will be capped by the emergence of competition from other fuels. Already, shipping companies and fuel suppliers are working together to incept supply chains for green ammonia and methanol bunkering, as well as hydrogen, in key hubs such as Singapore and South Korea.

For now it looks like biofuels in Singapore are destined to capture an increasing share of the bunkering fuel mix at least in the short to medium term, with 2023 poised to be a critical year for B24.

By Sammy Six

 

Photo credit and source: Argus Media
Published: 21 December, 2022

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Emissions reporting

ZeroNorth and Veracity by DNV launch end-to-end emissions reporting, verification service

New offering combines ZeroNorth’s Vessel Reporting and Emissions Analytics platform with Veracity platform and DNV’s Emissions Connect verification services to deliver an end-to-end compliance solution.

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ZeroNorth and Veracity by DNV launch end-to-end emissions reporting, verification service

Maritime technology solutions provider ZeroNorth on Friday (16 May) said it has partnered with Veracity by DNV to launch a fully integrated emissions reporting and verification service for the maritime industry. 

Teekay is the first customer that will be implementing the service across its fleet, following successful testing and development.

As regulatory requirements tighten, ZeroNorth said maritime operators face growing demands for emissions transparency and reporting integrity. At the same time, poor data quality remains an industry-wide challenge. 

“The new offering combines ZeroNorth’s Vessel Reporting and Emissions Analytics platform with the Veracity platform and DNV’s Emissions Connect verification services to deliver an end-to-end compliance solution,” the company said in a statement. 

“The offering simplifies compliance by integrating automated data reporting with expert validation, reducing administrative burdens and improving data reliability.”

A key differentiator is the multi-layered data quality feedback loop, which ensures emissions data undergoes rigorous validation at multiple stages. Verification warnings from Veracity by DNV are automatically flagged to ZeroNorth’s data quality team, which then works directly with vessel crews to resolve discrepancies before final submission to authorities. 

This reduces compliance risks and enhances regulatory confidence while supporting continuous monitoring of EU MRV, IMO DCS, CII ratings, EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime compliance.

Teekay, a long-standing customer of ZeroNorth, participated in early testing of the solution and providing operational feedback. Since its successful implementation with Teekay, the service has been rolled out to two additional customers, and further deployments are underway.

Anders Schulze, Chief Operations Officer at ZeroNorth, said: “The maritime industry faces growing pressure to ensure emissions data is not just reported, but verified to the highest standards. Yet fragmented systems and manual processes continue to undermine data quality and increase compliance risk. 

“By combining ZeroNorth’s data and analytics capabilities with Veracity by DNV’s verification expertise, we are directly addressing this challenge. Our goal is to build trust in emissions data and reduce complexity for shipowners and charterers. We’re especially pleased that Teekay, a long-time partner, played a central role in shaping and validating the service.”

Mikkel Skou, Managing Director at Veracity by DNV, said: “At Veracity by DNV, the value of our ecosystem is built on strong partnerships, exemplified by our collaboration with ZeroNorth.

“By integrating trusted data and solutions like ZeroNorth’s Vessel Reporting and Emissions Analytics platform, we create a robust network that supports collaboration and drives sustainable growth in the maritime industry. 

“We look forward to continuing working towards our ambition to deliver trust and connectivity to the industry through this partnership with ZeroNorth.”

Mikkel Seidelin, Chief Commercial Officer at Teekay, said: “Partnering with ZeroNorth improves our ability to navigate complexities seamlessly, leveraging on data and technology to optimise our performance and reduce inefficiencies.

“When we are equipped with verified, end-to-end data, it empowers us as owners towards seamless decision-making, resulting in real sustainable and operational target-achievements.”

 

Photo credit: ZeroNorth
Published: 16 May, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 400th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FueLNG Bellina” successfully delivered LNG bunker fuel to “BYD Shenzhen”, the world’s largest LNG-fuelled car carrier at Singapore anchorage during its maiden voyage.

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Singapore: FueLNG achieves 400th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Thursday (15 May) announced the successful completion of its 400th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation in the republic.

FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine and Shell Eastern Petroleum Pte Ltd, marked the milestone with bunker tanker FueLNG Bellina successfully refuelling BYD Shenzhen, the world’s largest LNG-fuelled car carrier, at Singapore anchorage during its maiden voyage.

“With a capacity of 9,200 vehicles and equipped with dual-fuel LNG propulsion, the BYD SHENZHEN represents the next generation of low-emission maritime transport,” it said in a social media post. 

Shell said it supported BYD Shenzhen on its maiden voyage as the supplier of the LNG bunker fuel. 

“Like all LNG dual fuel vessels, BYD Shenzhen is on the pathway to net zero emissions. She can take bio-LNG, and in the future e-LNG, in her fuel mix for further emission reduction and regulatory compliance,” it said in a separate social media post. 

 

Photo credit: Shell
Published: 16 May, 2025

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Biofuel

Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China’s largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation

Chimbusco Pan Nation delivered 6,300 mt of B24-VLSFO in Hong Kong to boxship “XIN LOS ANGELES” on 15 May, exceeding its previous record of 5,500 mt delivered in February 2025.

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Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China's largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation

Hong Kong-based bunker supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) on Friday (16 May) said it has set a record for China’s largest B24 marine biofuel bunkering operation.

CPN said it delivered 6,300 metric tonnes (mt) of B24-VLSFO in Hong Kong to container ship XIN LOS ANGELES on 15 May. 

The supply exceeded CPN’s previous record of 5,500 mt delivered to the same ship in February 2025.

“This collaboration reinforces CPN’s ability to execute large-scale marine biofuel bunkering with precision and reliability,” the company said in a social media post.

“By consistently supplying large volumes of B24 marine biofuel, CPN supports reduced carbon emissions and sustainable shipping practices globally.”

Related: CPN achieves largest B24 bio bunker fuel delivery in Hong Kong and China

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical
Published: 16 May, 2025

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