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International Safety@Sea interview: MPA shares what it means to conduct bunkering operations in the ‘new norm’

Captain Daknash Ganasen, Senior Director (Operations & Marine Services), MPA, provides direction on what should players do when providing bunker fuel to a COVID-19 infected ship, and more.
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Singapore bunker tankers

Captain Daknash Ganasen, Senior Director (Operations & Marine Services), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) recently spent time with Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times to share what it means to conduct marine refuelling operations in the era of the ‘new normal’ during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following interview is conducted as part of event coverage for the MPA’s International Safety@Sea Webinar Series:

Do you think the current recommendations by the port authority for bunker tanker crew and bunker surveyors are enough? Also, what additional measures can they adopt on top of the MPA recommendations to take health and safety to the next level?

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has been monitoring local and overseas developments closely. Through port marine notices, MPA has proactively advised the maritime community, including bunkering companies, on the precautionary measures that the industry should adopt. In August this year, MPA issued a bunkering notice to bunker suppliers, craft operators and surveying companies to update them on a set of precautionary measures to minimise the risk of contracting COVID-19 during bunkering operations in the Port of Singapore. These precautionary measures include wearing surgical masks, gloves and face shields, maintaining safe distance and minimising exposure to enclosed environments. MPA also encouraged the implementation of contactless bunkering operations whenever possible.

All parties will have to remain vigilant and abide by the precautionary measures at all times to keep themselves safe and healthy, while ensuring that bunkering operations in Singapore continue to be reliable, efficient and transparent.

If a bunker tanker crew and bunker surveyor is suspected to be in contact with a COVID-19 infected vessel, what should they do?

In addition to informing his company/employer, the individual should also notify the Port Health Office and seek its advice. In the event of a confirmed case, Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) conducts contact tracing to identify the close contacts of COVID-19 confirmed patients. Close contacts will be advised by MOH officials on the measures they should take.

MPA also recommends that the master of the vessel disinfects common areas and rooms in the vessel based on the Interim Guidelines for Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection of Areas Exposed to Confirmed Case(s) of COVID-19 in Non-Healthcare Commercial Premises prepared by the National Environment Agency.

How safe is it to provide marine fuel to a COVID-19 infected vessel? What precautions should a bunker supplier take if they know the vessel has infected crew on board?

Visiting ships calling at the Port of Singapore are required to submit a Medical Declaration of Health 24 hours prior to arrival and notify the Port Health Office of any confirmed/suspected COVID-19 cases aboard their ships. Marine services will continue to be provided to ships with identified cases of confirmed/suspected COVID-19 aboard. However, contactless operations will have to be implemented for the provision of these services in order to mitigate the risk of importing COVID-19 into Singapore.

How long do you expect such COVID-19 enhanced precautions for the maritime sector to last? Is this the new norm for the maritime sector moving forward?

MPA is closely monitoring the global COVID-19 pandemic, together with other government agencies. We will take guidance from MOH and the Ministry of Manpower on the precautionary measures to be adopted at workplaces.

What advise can you give to companies to handle crew stuck onboard bunker tankers for an extended period of time?

MPA recognises the importance of crew change to safeguard the health and well-being of crew members. We have worked with the industry to put in place a set of procedures to ensure that crew change can be safely conducted in the Port of Singapore with measures implemented to mitigate possible COVID-19 importation risks.  We have been facilitating crew changes for the harbour craft sector, which include crew members aboard bunker tankers, since Circuit Breaker. In reducing the risks of importing COVID-19 cases, the implementation of precautionary measures may result in crew change delays. MPA encourages companies to engage their crew regularly to apprise them of the situation and to seek their understanding during these unprecedented times.

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 1 December, 2020

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Biofuel

BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

Bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier “Berge Lyngor”, which was bunkered in Singapore in early May.

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June 3, 2026

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BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

BHP and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on Wednesday (3 June) said they have blended biofuels from two distinct feedstocks—used cooking oil and waste animal fats —and introduced the lower-emissions marine fuel into a BHP-chartered bulk carrier as part of a pilot project.

The bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier Berge Lyngor, owned and operated by Berge Bulk, transporting BHP iron ore from Western Australia to China. When run on bio-blend, the vessel has the potential to reduce well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 79 per cent per voyage compared to sailing on very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).

The vessel bunkered in Singapore in early May with a B100 bio-blend comprising 50 percent tallow-derived biodiesel, sourced and supplied by HAMR Energy, and 50 per cent used cooking oil (UCOME) supplied by Mitsui & Co Energy Trading Singapore (METS).

Mitsui also blended the fuel and Dan-Bunkering coordinated and executed the bunkering operation, which was performed by Global Energy’s barge MT Maple.

The BHP and GCMD pilot will assess how biofuels from multiple feedstocks can be blended, handled, and introduced under real-world operating conditions using existing used cooking oil bunkering infrastructure.

At the same time, insights from this pilot will help identify solutions to challenges related to fuel quality, handling, traceability, and onboard vessel performance.

Biofuels for global shipping today rely heavily on used cooking oil – a feedstock whose availability is approaching its projected limits. Biofuel from waste animal fats presents a promising option to expand the supply of lower-emissions marine fuels.

The outcomes of the pilot are expected to shed light on the practical steps to integrate biofuel blends from different feedstocks into existing supply chains. The diversity of biofuels will provide shipowners and operators with greater flexibility to optimise fuel procurement based on cost, availability, and lifecycle emissions performance.

Biofuels derived from different feedstocks can exhibit varying properties that may impact operations, including potential corrosion from oxidation, fuel system clogging caused by wax formation, which this pilot aims to assess.

The pilot will trace and verify the biofuel blend’s integrity aimed at bolstering confidence in emissions reductions reporting. The pilot will also provide insights into how robust tracing can support future marine fuel supply chains where biofuels from multiple feedstocks with varying lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions footprints are blended together.

This project is co-funded by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore under the Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund (MINT).

 

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 3 June, 2026

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Biofuel

NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices.
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June 3, 2026

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NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

Japanese shipping firm NYK on Tuesday (2 June) said it has commenced a one-year long-term trial involving the continuous use of 100% biofuel (B100) on an NYK-operated car carrier. 

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices. High-purity biofuels such as B100 are known to be susceptible to degradation from oxygen, light, and heat, raising concerns about the stability of such fuels during long-term use.

In this trial, the biofuel primarily comprises FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) derived from used cooking oil and similar feedstocks.

The initiative is designed to evaluate the fuel’s effects on the vessel’s equipment and verify operational safety under real-world conditions. 

Through this effort, NYK seeks to accumulate technical expertise that will support the broader use of high-purity biofuels and further accelerate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

NYK has been advancing the use of biofuels through various initiatives. In 2024, the company conducted a trial using biofuel blend B24 and subsequently expanded practical usage to B30. However, the company said there remains limited global experience with the long-term continuous use of B100.

“By collecting long-term operational data through this trial, NYK aims to accumulate valuable technical insights to support both the safe operation of vessels and the wider adoption of high-purity biofuels,” it said. 

 

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 3 June, 2026

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Ammonia

AM Green plans to build green ammonia plant at Indian port

Initiative also includes development of green ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety procedures and training programmes, says VOC Port Authority.

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June 3, 2026

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VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority on Friday (29 May) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s ammonia producer AM Green Ammonia to collaborate in the development of a green ammonia production plant.

The plant will have a capacity of one million tonnes per annum (MTPA) at Tuticorin.

The initiative also includes development of green ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety procedures and training programmes. 

The project is expected to support the development of green fuel corridors connecting VOC Port with major ports in Europe and Asia, thereby strengthening India’s position in the global green fuels value chain.

VOC Port also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bureau Veritas (India) Pvt. Ltd., to collaborate on Green Port certification, emissions accounting, ESG reporting, safety validation, development of green bunkering practices, and establishment of a Centre of Excellence for green fuels and sustainability.

The port also plans for an upcoming 750 m³ green methanol bunkering facility.

 

Photo credit: Naveed Ahmed on Unsplash
Published: 3 June, 2026

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