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EXCLUSIVE: Japanese MFM manufacturer Oval Corporation targets Singapore bunkering sector entry by 2023

‘We’ll start the application [to MPA] before the end of 2022 and hopefully to receive approval within six months or sooner,’ L. Y. Hwang, Director / General Manager of Oval Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, tells Manifold Times.
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Tokyo-listed flowmeter manufacturer Oval Corporation is planning to become an approved provider of coriolis mass flow meters for bunkering at Singapore port by 2023.

L.Y. Hwang, Director / General Manager of Oval Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, shares the company’s offerings with readers of Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times through an interview:

MT: Could you kindly share with us the history of Oval and what does the brand represent?

Tokyo-listed Oval Corp was founded 70 years ago and manufactures flow meters such as positive displacement, mass, vortex, ultrasonic, electromagnetic meters for measurement of different types of liquid and gaseous medium.

Oval meters are installed in numerous market sectors with applications in process and custody flow measurement. The firm is the largest flow meter manufacturer in Japan and we’ve served major clients which includes Shell, Exxon, SRC, Pertamina, Petronas, PV oil, PTT, Petrobras, Aramco etc in the Oil & Gas sector and PCS, EGS, TPC, Denka etc for the petrochemical sector.

The marine sector represents one of our important markets and includes shipbuilding, repairs and conversions. Ship bunkering at Singapore used to be one of Oval’s major market in which we’ve supplied to the majority of the bunker tankers with our positive displacement meters for 35 years till the introduction of coriolis mass flow meters for bunkering.

MT: What makes the Singapore bunkering sector an attractive market for Oval to invest in?

Oval, as a manufacturer, views opportunities within Singapore bunkering with aspirations of the present and future as the trade evolves to include liquified natural gas and hydrogen which is already in the Oval product portfolio.

MT: As a prospective new entrant to the bunkering sector, what is the market penetration strategy for Oval?

As with all markets, our main penetration strategy is to be price competitive with the product and services. We provide in house engineering services in product, software development and remote support. As a major supplier to FPSO metering systems we ensure system integrity for our clients.

MT: What are the selling points of Oval MFMs over its competitors for bunkering MFMs?

The comparative advantages between all major suppliers are very narrow as the main criteria of the meter is the accuracy, repeatability and reliability. All these aspects are qualified by third party audits and certified by OIML and type approved by Enterprise Singapore. However, Oval is in the advance stage of testing mass meter integrity on disruption by magnets.

MT: At which stage is Oval at now, regarding to its application to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore as an official supplier for bunkering MFMs, and when do you expect OVAL to gain approval for this application?

We’ll start the application to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore before the end of 2022 and hopefully to receive approval within six months or sooner.

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 4 October, 2022

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Alternative Fuels

Singapore-based Golden Island, Qingdao Port team up on alternative bunker fuels

Agreement covers green methanol, green ammonia and bio-LNG, with cooperation spanning fuel production and transportation through to storage, sales and bunkering.
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September 22, 2026

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Golden Island, Qingdao Port team up on green methanol, ammonia and bio-LNG

Singapore bunker supplier Golden Island Pte Ltd on Monday (21 September) said it has signed a strategic framework agreement with Qingdao Port International Co Ltd to collaborate on the supply of alternative marine fuels.

The agreement covers green methanol, green ammonia and bio-LNG, with cooperation spanning fuel production and transportation through to storage, sales and bunkering.

“By combining our MPA-licensed bunkering capabilities with Qingdao Port’s incredible logistics and strategic hub position, we are building something truly robust for the global shipping industry’s low-carbon future,” the company said in a statement. 

Qingdao Port International, which operates five major port areas in China, will bring its logistics network, storage facilities and customs clearance capabilities to the partnership.

Golden Island is licensed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to conduct methanol bunkering and is ISCC EU-certified.

The companies are also engaging with container liners, bulk carriers, oil tankers and cruise ships regarding the adoption of alternative marine fuels.

 

Photo credit: Golden Island Pte Ltd
Published: 22 September, 2026

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Ammonia

HD HHI and HD KSOE secure ABS AiP for ammonia bunkering vessel design

ABS awarded approval in principle for the basic design of a 22,000 CBM bunkering vessel capable of supplying ammonia as marine fuel.
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September 22, 2026

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HD HHI and HD KSOE secure ABS AiP for ammonia bunkering vessel

Classification society ABS on Monday (21 September) said it has awarded HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) approval in principle (AIP) for the basic design of a 22,000 CBM bunkering vessel capable of supplying ammonia as marine fuel.

The approval is the result of a joint development project initiated earlier this year. ABS reviewed the design’s general arrangement, machinery arrangement, ammonia cargo handling system and fuel supply system against applicable class and international requirements.

Gareth Burton, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Engineering, said: “Bunkering infrastructure is a critical step for any marine fuel to scale, and it has to be implemented with safety designed in from the start.

“This AIP reflects the industry’s need for fuel flexibility while advancing the safe bunkering of ammonia. ABS is proud to support HD HHI and HD KSOE as they develop technologies that expand fuel flexibility.”

Ryu Hong-Ryeul, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of HD HHI, said: “As ammonia rapidly emerges as a viable low-carbon alternative fuel, demand for ammonia bunkering vessels is expected to grow in line with the increasing adoption of ammonia-fuelled ships. 

“This AIP marks a significant milestone toward the commercialisation of ammonia bunkering vessels.”

ABS and the HD Hyundai group have worked together across a range of technologies supporting ammonia as a marine fuel. Recent projects have included AIP for HD KSOE’s ammonia cargo handling and bunkering system and initial review for HD HHI’s machinery arrangement in engine room.

 

Photo credit: ABS
Published: 22 September, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

J-ENG completes land-based testing of hydrogen-fuelled marine engine

Engine will be installed on a 17,500 DWT multipurpose vessel to be built by Onomichi Dockyard for MOL and MOL Drybulk, with onboard demonstration testing scheduled to begin in April 2028.

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September 22, 2026

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Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) on Friday (18 September) said it has completed land-based testing of the world’s first hydrogen-fuelled engine for large commercial vessels, the 6UEC35LSGH.

During factory testing, the engine achieved a hydrogen co-firing rate of at least 95%, reducing GHG emissions by more than 95% compared with conventional heavy-fuel-oil engines.

By adopting a high-pressure direct injection system, which injects fuel directly into the cylinder at high pressure, J-ENG said the engine achieves stable hydrogen combustion. 

Safety measures were also implemented, including a robust structure to prevent hydrogen leakage and double-walled piping for hydrogen supply lines. 

“Approval testing was conducted in the presence of ClassNK and was completed successfully,” the company said. 

The engine will be installed on a 17,500 DWT multipurpose vessel to be built by Onomichi Dockyard for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and MOL Drybulk.

Hydrogen fuel will be supplied to the engine through a marine hydrogen fuel system, consisting of marine hydrogen fuel tanks and a fuel supply system, developed and manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

In addition, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) will conduct safety assessments throughout each stage of the engine’s development and the vessel’s design, construction and operation.

The vessel will then undergo sea trials before onboard demonstration testing begins in April 2028. 

Kawasaki will also develop and manufacture bunkering equipment for supplying liquefied hydrogen to vessels. 

“The demonstration will further evaluate the engine’s durability and performance under actual operating conditions,” J-ENG added.

 

Photo credit: J-ENG
Published: 22 September, 2026

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