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Alternative Fuels

IBIA: Guidelines for alternative bunker fuels further considered by IMO

Draft guidelines for some alternative marine fuels require further work intersessionally for consideration and finalization at CCC 10 in September 2024 with a view to adoption at MSC 109 in December 2024.

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The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Friday (22 September) published an article elaborating on guidelines for the safe design and operation of ships using alternative bunker fuels that were considered further by IMO’s CCC Sub-Committee (CCC 9) held from 20 to 29 September 2023:

A suite of guidelines for the safe design and operation of ships using alternative fuels (ammonia, hydrogen, LPG and other low flashpoint fuels) were considered further by IMO’s CCC Sub-Committee (CCC 9) held from 20 to 29 September 2023. Whilst progress was made on some aspects, and the draft LPG Guidelines finalised with a view to adoption at MSC 108 in May 2024, the draft guidelines for other alternative fuels require further work intersessionally for consideration and finalization at CCC 10 in September 2024 with a view to adoption at MSC 109 in December 2024.

Specific provisions associated with the bunkering of the alternative fuels, in respect of mitigation of the risks to the ship associated with the fuels, were considered in detail for ammonia and hydrogen. From the discussions it is clear that both present unique risks that require detailed consideration and provisions to mitigate those risks.

For ammonia it is not just the risks associated with toxicity, for example, to the extent that it may prevent the concept of safe-haven/refuge on board being applicable for certain ship types, that requires mitigation but also the corrosivity of the product and its effect on materials and so design of equipment. 

For storage, among the three different storage options for ammonia, i.e. refrigerated ammonia, semi-refrigerated ammonia and pressurized ammonia, only the former two should be considered for the purpose of the interim guidelines as a first stage, and that the use of pressurized ammonia systems would be possible through the alternative design process; portable tank provisions for ammonia should not be specifically developed.

For hydrogen the difficulty of containing leaks presents safety challenges and it was agreed that during bunkering operations leaks of hydrogen should be able to freely escape without accumulating to mitigate risk of fire or explosion. In this regard, as small leakages may form hydrogen pockets and coupled with hydrogen’s lower explosion limit and that it is impossible to de-energise electrical equipment in time, Emergency Shut-Down (ESD) principles have been removed from the current draft Guidelines.

Concerns were also expressed that ships using fuels such as LNG and methanol were being built with inadequate arrangements to debunker fuels (e.g. for pre dry dock preparations and emergencies (grounding, collisions)), due to a lack of related provisions in the IGF Code or Guidelines. It was decided not to include any such provisions at this time, but may be included when developing the draft interim guidelines for other alternate fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.

A summary of progress is provided below.

Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using hydrogen as fuel

These draft guidelines have been developed further. They are goal-based and provide provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using hydrogen as fuel to minimise the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment. Additional intersessional work will be carried out with the aim to present the progress to CCC 10 (September 2024) with a view to finalization and adoption at MSC 109 in December 2024.

Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel

These draft guidelines have been developed further and provide an international standard for ships using ammonia as fuel. They are goal-based and will provide provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using ammonia as fuel to minimise the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment. Additional intersessional work will be carried out with the aim to present the progress to CCC 10 (September 2024) with a view to finalization and adoption at MSC 109 in December 2024.

Interim Guidelines for Use of LPG Cargo as Fuel

Due to the urgent industry need, CCC 9 developed these draft guidelines to provide unified specific guidance for ships using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cargo as fuel. Written in a goal-based manner they are expected to be agreed at MSC 108 in May 2024

Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using low flashpoint oil fuels

These guidelines are expected to provide an international standard for ships using oil-based fossil fuels, synthetic fuels and biofuels with a flashpoint between 52°C and 60°C. A Correspondence Group will continue to consider them and submit a report to CCC 10 (September 2024).

Photo credit: IBIA
Published: 6 October, 2023

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales soar by 7.5% on year in June 2025

4.59 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in June, up from 4.27 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024, according to MPA.

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Singapore: Bunker fuel sales soar by 7.5% on year in June 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port increased by 7.5% on year in June 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.59 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,594,700 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in June, up from 4.27 million mt (4,274,900 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in June (against on year) recorded respectively 1.70 million mt (+8.6% from 1.56 million mt), 2.31 million mt (-7.2% from 2.33 million mt), 1,900 mt (from zero), 4,500 mt (-88% from 8,000 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales soar by 7.5% on year in June 2025

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in June (against on year) recorded respectively 38,800 mt (+671.7% from 2,500 mt), 114,300 mt (+97.9% from 45,400 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February this year, recorded 1,000 mt of deliveries in June.

LNG and methanol sales were respectively 55,400 mt (-7.8% from 51,700) and zero (from zero mt). There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far in 2025.

Related: Singapore: Bunker sales volume raises to year record high of 4.88 million mt in May
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 4% on year in April 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 8.1% on year in February 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes reported by Manifold Times tracked since 2018 can be found via the link here.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 15 July 2025

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Alternative Fuels

ITOCHU orders world’s first ammonia bunkering vessel for Singapore demonstration project

Company contracted Sasaki Shipbuilding to build the 5,000 m3 vessel and Izumi Steel Works to construct an ammonia tank plant that will be loaded onto the vessel, which is expected to be delivered in 2027.

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ITOCHU orders world’s first ammonia bunkering vessel for Singapore demonstration project

ITOCHU Corporation (ITOCHU) on Monday (14 July) announced that it recently signed a shipbuilding contract for the construction of a 5,000 m3 ammonia bunkering vessel with Sasaki Shipbuilding. 

The company also announced an agreement regarding the construction of an ammonia tank plant that will be loaded onto the vessel with Izumi Steel Works. 

These agreements were signed by Clean Ammonia Bunkering Shipping Pte Ltd (CABS), a wholly owned Singapore-based specific purpose company of ITOCHU. 

In relation to this, CABS has concluded a financing agreement with The Hiroshima Bank for financing a part of purchase price of the vessel.

The agreements were concluded to pursue the Demonstration Project for Bunkering Ammonia as Marine Fuel in Singapore adopted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan as part of the Global South Future-oriented Co-Creation Project (large-scale demonstration in ASEAN member states). 

Going forward, with an eye toward the demonstration of ammonia bunkering in Singapore after building the world’s first newbuilding ammonia bunkering vessel, ITOCHU said efforts will be made to facilitate concrete discussions with the maritime stakeholders, including the port authority in Singapore, the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), and the fuel producers, while obtaining support from the Japanese Government.

The vessel is to be flagged under the Singapore Registry and is expected to be delivered in September 2027.

ITOCHU will establish a safe offshore bunkering operation of ammonia as marine fuel by way of ship-to-ship transfer through the development and construction of the vessel and demonstration. 

Then, by utilising the vessel, ITOCHU will establish connection between the first movers in clean ammonia production and the first movers in the ammonia-fueled vessels and secure initial demand for ammonia as marine fuel, aiming at the commercialisation of ammonia bunkering business in Singapore and expansion of similar business model to major maritime transportation points around the world, including Spain (Strait of Gibraltar), Egypt (Suez Canal) and Japan.

 

Photo credit: ITOCHU Corporation
Published: 15 July 2025

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Biofuel

Chimbusco Pan Nation delivers first B30-MGO bio bunker fuel blend supply in Hong Kong

The supply, delivered to Orient Overseas Container Line, represents the first time OOCL has received this fuel blend in the region; operation also included a simultaneous delivery of B30-HSFO.

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Chimbusco Pan Nation delivers first B30-MGO bio bunker fuel blend supply in Hong Kong

Hong Kong-based marine fuel oil supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) on Friday (11 July) announced the first-ever delivery of a B30-Marine Gasoil (B30-MGO) which consists of 30% biodiesel and 70% Marine Gasoil (MGO), in Hong Kong. 

The supply, delivered to Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), represents the first time OOCL has received this fuel blend in the region.

In addition to the B30-MGO, this operation included a simultaneous delivery of B30-High Sulphur Marine Fuel Oil.

“This delivery, completed on 11 July, solidifies CPN’s leadership in advancing green fuel solutions in East Asia. Being the first bunker supplier in the region capable of providing all grades of ISCC-EU Certified marine biofuel, including marine fuel and gas oil, CPN demonstrates its commitment to supporting the maritime industry’s transition to sustainable energy,” the company said on its website. 

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical
Published: 15 July, 2025

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