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Equatorial Marine Fuel links one third of bunker tanker fleet to SGTraDex in push towards trust & transparency

‘We are proud to be amongst the first to show the successful steps taken by Singapore’s bunkering ecosystem to remain forward thinking and relevant,’ Choong Sheen Mao, Director of EMF, tells Manifold Times.

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Singapore bunker supplier Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services Pte Ltd (EMF) has connected one third of its bunker tanker fleet to the Singapore Trade Data Exchange (SGTraDex), learns bunkering publication Manifold Times.

The seven SGTraDex-linked bunker tankers, namely Sea Diligence, Sea Fortitude, Sea Bountiful, Sea Reliance, Golden Bravo, Sea Loyalty, and Sea Brilliance, represents part of EMF’s perpetual push towards the implementation of trust and transparency in business operations, states Choong Sheen Mao, Director of EMF.

“Having data securely sent from digital mass flow meters via the Internet of Things to the cloud for inspection by all counterparties severely reduces credit and fraud risk. This is a significant development for EMF,” he explains. 

“Moreover, the authenticity for a third of our bunkering transactions can now be tracked by reputed financial institutions using the SGTraDex digital infrastructure.

“We are proud to be amongst the first to showcase the successful steps taken by Singapore’s bunkering ecosystem to remain forward thinking and relevant, while demonstrating to the world SGTraDex is workable.

“Overall, the availability of SGTraDex for supporting marine refuelling operations represents an achievement for the entire Singapore bunkering sector. After all, this is a multiagency effort spanning a two-year period involving the whole bunker supply chain.”

Equatorial Marine Fuel links one third of bunker tanker fleet to SGTraDex in push towards trust & transparency

Singapore-based Brightree Pte Ltd, a solutions provider for the implementation of industrial Internet of Things, connected EMF’s seven mass flow meter (MFM) equipped bunkering vessels to SGTraDex.

“We upgraded communications systems on the marine refuelling tankers with an external antenna to send data from the bunker metering computer back to the SGTraDex network in Singapore,” explains Kevin Peng, Managing Director of Brightree.

“This is done via a router utilising both Singapore and Indonesia SIM cards. Connectivity is not a big problem, as data is simply backed up in dead zones with no GSM signals and automatedly resent to the server once connection has been re-established.

“Brightree’s digital bunkering solution emphasises a great deal on cyber security and data integrity. Users of our systems can be assured of the accuracy and integrity of bunkering digital documents.

“We have been involved with this bunker digitalisation project since 2018. The launch of the evolved SGTraDex platform represents a monumental step for Singapore’s bunkering sector. Brightree is proud to have been amongst key solution providers for this platform.” 

The seven EMF bunker tankers involved in the project are using MFMs manufactured by Emerson.

“Emerson, being an MPA-approved MFM system provider, has provided the Fuel Monitoring Bunkering systems onboard the EMF bunker vessels, and is glad to be involved in this SGTraDex initiative by EMF on digital bunker delivery notes,” says Yap Swee Choon, Site Leader for Emerson Process Management Marine Solutions Singapore Pte Ltd. 

“We are delighted to partake in this milestone of Singapore’s bunkering history.”

Equatorial Marine Fuel links one third of bunker tanker fleet to SGTraDex in push towards trust & transparency

Ms So Lay Hua, Head of Group Transaction Banking, UOB, said: “We are pleased to partner Equatorial Marine Fuel to drive digitalisation in the bunker industry. In an industry which traditionally relies heavily on the physical exchange of paper, going digital is key to enhancing efficiency and transparency.”

 “The use of digital bunker delivery notes allows banks to verify the authenticity of the underlying bunker transactions, giving banks greater confidence when financing transactions.”

“With SGTraDex enabling connectivity across bunker suppliers, service providers and banks through a single data highway, transmission of data to multiple parties can be done in a rapid and secure manner. This is critical to streamlining data flow across the supply chain and UOB is confident that this data super highway will help deliver process efficiency for our clients.”

SGTraDex was introduced in 2021; its founding partners include the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore, PSA International, Trafigura, DBS Group, Jurong Port, OCBC Bank, Ocean Network Express, Oiltanking, Pacific International Lines, Standard Chartered, and UOB.

Amongst use case scenarios of the digital infrastructure was to provide real time visibility by digitalising documentation and processes associated with the delivery of bunkers. This improved transparency allows companies to reconcile actual usage and helps bunkering players enhance their operational efficiency and financing, close to real time. 

Manifold Times in July 2021 reported on Singapore’s live bunker delivery financing pilot transaction, in a prelude to the implementation of SGTraDex.

EMF in October 2020 launched its Online Tracking Tool, a free mobile responsive tracking tool for customers to check on the status of a bunker delivery.

Related: Singapore: Players complete first ‘live’ bunker delivery financing pilot with eBDN
Related: Equatorial Marine Fuel unveils OTT (Online Tracking Tool) to enhance bunker deliveries

Photo credit: SGTraDex
Published: 3 June, 2022

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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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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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Wind-assisted

Dealfeng to equip Singapore-based Hung Ze’s chemical tankers with rotor sails

Project marks Chinese firm Dealfeng’s first overseas commercial contract for its wind-assisted propulsion technology which entails equipping a new series of 14,000 DWT chemical tankers with Dealfeng Rotor Sails.

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Singapore-based Hung Ze chemical tankers to be equipped with Dealfeng rotor sails

Dealfeng, a Chinese provider of wind-assisted propulsion systems, on Tuesday (20 May) said it has assigned a cooperation agreement with Singapore-based shipowner Hung Ze Shipping.

The partnership will equip a new series of 14,000 DWT chemical tankers with Dealfeng® Rotor Sails. 

Each vessel will feature a 5m x 24m Dealfeng Rotor Sail installed on its forecastle deck. Collaborating with maritime software leader NAPA, the project will utilise route optimisation systems to maximise the efficiency of wind-assisted voyages, further enhancing fuel savings and emissions reduction while improving overall energy performance.

“The first vessel in the series is scheduled for delivery with the rotor sail system in the fourth quarter of 2025. Preliminary calculations indicate that the technology will achieve approximately 8% fuel savings on the vessel’s trading routes,” the company said in a social media post. 

The project marked Dealfeng’s first overseas commercial contract for its wind-assisted propulsion technology.

Dealfeng, a clean energy technology company specialising in the R&D, manufacturing, and EPC services of shipborne energy-saving systems, has long focused on developing Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS). Its core product, the Rotor Sail, harnesses wind energy via the Magnus effect to provide auxiliary propulsion for vessels. 

Tailored to different ship types, the system offers fuel and carbon emission reductions of 5%–25%, with even greater efficiency under favorable wind conditions. Dealfeng’s Rotor Sail technology has obtained certifications from multiple classification societies and has been successfully deployed across numerous vessels, accumulating years of operational experience that validate its safety, reliability, and effectiveness.

Hung Ze operates a diverse fleet ranging from 5,000 DWT vessels to MR product tankers. 

 

Photo credit: Dealfeng
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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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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