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Coastal Sustainability Alliance, Ken Energy to deploy electric supply boats in Singapore

E-supply boats will be one of the first zero-emissions electric vessels to operate in the region and amongst the first to be designed, built and deployed in Singapore.
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PXO EXL 1

Green energy solutions firm Ken Energy has signed a letter of intent with the Coastal Sustainability Alliance (CSA) on Monday (24 April) to purchase fully-electric supply (e-supply) boats from offshore marine engineering company PaxOcean. 

The e-supply boats will be one of the first zero-emissions electric vessels to operate in the region and amongst the first to be designed, built and deployed in Singapore.  

PaxOcean has designed and engineered the first-generation e-supply boat PXO-EXL-1, which will play an integral role in supporting coastal ships’ supply deliveries with improved energy and operational efficiencies. The e-supply vessel has received in-principle approval from the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), Bureau Veritas Marine, and Registro Italiano Navale (RINA).  

Additionally, PaxOcean and CSA member Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine Singapore (TCOMS) are collaborating to create digital twins of the electric vessels, thus enabling optimal operational performance while considering the various metocean conditions in which the ship will operate. 

Mr Desmond Chong, Managing Director of Ken Energy, said, “In our focus of developing and implementing green energy solutions, we aim to advance the use of renewable energy and alternative fuels, as a means of reducing emissions and promoting a more sustainable and greener environment.”

“As a start, we are looking into reducing our carbon footprint by exploring the use of PXO e-supply vessels to supply provisions and ship spares to our own fleet of bunker tankers. By adopting new technologies and ship designs, we anticipate a boost in optimisation for a more efficient marine supply chain.”  

The PXO e-supply vessels are expected to operate in tandem with the charging electric infrastructure network made available in partnership with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Jurong Port. This deployment is ahead of MPA’s directive that all new harbour crafts must be fully electric, capable of using B100 biofuel or compatible with net-zero fuels by 2030.  

Mr Tan Thai Yong, Chief Executive Officer, PaxOcean and Chairperson, CSA Council, said, “The commitment from Ken Energy to acquire the PXO e-supply boats is a significant recognition of the impact that the Coastal Sustainability Alliance’s collective strengths can have in transforming Singapore’s coastal maritime ecosystem to be future-ready.”

“As the innovators, designers, and builders of these locally-customised vessels, CSA members are immensely encouraged by the global interest and support for the PXO e-vessel series. Our galvanised efforts are gaining traction among industry players, and we are proud to play a role in shaping the future of Singapore’s maritime supply chain and ecosystem.” 

Besides the commercial sale of the PXO e-vessels, CSA is also working on a demand consolidation system with major ship owners and managers to increase operational and cost efficiencies. This will be achieved through optimised routing and utilisation of return vessels, thus reducing voyage costs. 

In line with CSA’s objectives to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs in Singapore and uplift the maritime industry’s value chain, over 70% of the e-supply boat components are sourced from local SMEs. This will generate business opportunities for at least seven SMEs, resulting in a more resilient maritime business ecosystem. 

Commenting on CSA’s progress to date, Mr Tan said, “We have made significant progress in the five strategic areas outlined in our mission to systematically decarbonise Singapore’s maritime ecosystem in a coherent and comprehensive manner.”

“These include designing and building electric vessels, improving supply chain resilience to uplift SME capabilities, establishing electric charging infrastructure, optimising fleet and maritime logistics and creating career growth opportunities and skills training. We welcome interested parties to reach out to us to explore how we can collaborate and create a more sustainable maritime industry.” 

Mr Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry and Transformation) of MPA, said: “We are heartened to see harbourcraft electrification gathering momentum and look forward to engaging Ken Energy and CSA early on the vessel design to optimise them for deployment in the local environment. Such close collaborations with these like-minded partners will help accelerate decarbonisation to meet Singapore’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.”

Related: Singapore harbourcraft will need to reach net-zero emissions by 2050

 

Photo credit: PaxOcean
Published: 25 April, 2023

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Biofuel

NYK to launch Japan’s first antioxidant for biodiesel bunker fuel in August

When added to biofuel, BioxiGuard slows progression of oxidative degradation and helps deter issues such as metal corrosion, strainer blockage, and cleaning-system fouling often triggered by oxidised fuel.
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May 22, 2025

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Japan’s first antioxidant by NYK for biodiesel bunker fuel set to release in August

Nippon Yuka Kogyo (Nippon Yuka), an NYK Group company specialising in chemical R&D as well as the manufacture and sale of chemical products, on Wednesday (21 May) announced the upcoming release of BioxiGuard, the Japan’s first antioxidant specially developed for marine biodiesel, from 10 August.

NYK said compared with conventional petroleum-based fuels, biofuel contains a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, making it more susceptible to oxidative degradation. Once oxidised, the biofuel can produce acidic substances and sludge, adversely affecting vessel fuel efficiency by reducing the fuel’s calorific value.

Developed by Nippon Yuka based on property analyses of the biofuel used in NYK-operated vessels, BioxiGuard is specifically formulated to enhance the oxidation stability of biodiesel. When added to biofuel, BioxiGuard slows the progression of oxidative degradation and helps deter issues such as metal corrosion, strainer blockage, and cleaning-system fouling often triggered by oxidised fuel.

According to laboratory tests conducted by Nippon Yuka researchers, the addition of BioxiGuard at a concentration of 1 part per 500 resulted in an approximate 50% reduction in the rate of biofuel degradation compared to untreated biofuel. 

This significant improvement underscores the potential for vessel operators to not only extend the useful life of biofuel on board but also maintain more stable and cost-effective vessel operations.

 

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 22 May, 2025

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Newbuilding

Höegh Autoliners latest LNG dual-fuel PCTC en route to Shanghai for bunkering

The 9,100 CEU “Höegh Sunrise”, currently sailing the seas, is on its way to Shanghai for bunkering before sailing to Japan and then towards Europe.

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May 22, 2025

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Höegh Autoliners latest LNG dual-fuel PCTC en route to Shanghai for bunkering

Höegh Autoliners on Tuesday (20 May) said its latest liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel pure car and truck carrier has departed China Merchants Heavy Industry’s yard, ready to commence its commercial operations.

The 9,100 CEU Höegh Sunrise, currently sailing the seas, is on its way to Shanghai for bunkering before sailing to Japan and then towards Europe. 

The PCTC is the fifth in a series of 12 Aurora Class vessels built by the shipyard in China. The first eight Auroras are or will be equipped with engines primed to run on LNG and low-sulphur oil. 

These vessels can be converted to run on ammonia later. By 2027, Höegh Autoliners said the four last vessels of the series will be able to run net zero on ammonia directly from the yard when delivered.

Manifold Times previously reported the naming ceremony of Höegh Autoliner’s fourth Aurora Class newbuild, Höegh Sunlight, at Taicang Haitong Auto Terminal.

Related: Höegh Autoliners names LNG-powered RoRo ship “Höegh Sunlight” in China|
Related: Gasum completes SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation of PCTC “Höegh Sunlight”

 

Photo credit: Höegh Autoliners
Published: 22 May, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

UECC: Liquefied biomethane bunker fuel to enable compliance surplus under FuelEU

Company says bunkering liquefied biomethane will give it a significant compliance surplus under FuelEU that can be monetised through the regulation’s pooling mechanism.
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May 22, 2025

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UECC: Liquefied biomethane bunker fuel to enable compliance surplus under FuelEU

United European Car Carriers (UECC) on Monday (19 May) said bunkering liquefied biomethane (LBM), also known as bio-LNG, will give it a significant compliance surplus under FuelEU that can be monetised through the regulation’s pooling mechanism.

UECC’s Senior Manager of Business Planning & Sustainability, Masanori Nagashima, said bio-LNG is now seen by the company as the key fuel to achieve its target of a 45% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030 versus a 2014 baseline and net zero by 2040 – ahead of the 2050 deadline set by both the IMO and EU.

The marine fuel is being bunkered on UECC’s dual and multi-fuel LNG PCTCs – three of which have battery hybrid capability – under Sail for Change that was launched by UECC last year and currently has participation by automotive giants including Toyota, Ford and JLR. 

The company also has on order two multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid newbuild PCTCs due for delivery in 2028 that could be enlisted into the programme. 

The overall carbon intensity of the UECC fleet, using the same gCO2e/MJ (grams of CO2 equivalent per megajoule) metric as FuelEU, is calculated at 68 gCO2e/MJ to achieve an interim target of a 25% carbon intensity reduction in 2025, though the company is expected to achieve 57 gCO2e/MJ this year based on its supply plan, according to Nagashima.

This is significantly below the current FuelEU threshold of 89.3 gCO2e/MJ – a 2% reduction from the baseline of 91.16 gCO2e/MJ – and still lower than the threshold of 77.9 gCO2e/MJ from 2035 that is a 14.5% reduction versus the baseline figure.

“The low carbon intensity of our fleet means all of our vessels are expected to gain a C rating or above with the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII)” Nagashima explained.

“It also gives us a significant compliance surplus under FuelEU that can be monetised through the regulation’s pooling mechanism, allowing a great commercial opportunity to offset regulatory costs for customers and eliminate FuelEU surcharges.”

“UECC will continue to accelerate its progress in improving decarbonisation of its fleet by further optimising our fuel mix strategy going forward to incorporate more high-impact fuels as these become viable.”

 

Photo credit: Titan Clean Fuels
Published: 22 May, 2025

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