Biofuel

Interview: Monjasa gearing up for an increase in biofuel bunkering in Singapore

Morten Østergaard Jacobsen, Managing Director Asia, elaborates on Monjasa’s next steps in alternative marine fuels following its inaugural biofuel bunkering in Singapore, amongst others.

Published

2 years ago

August 28, 2024

Admin

In an exclusive interview with Singapore-based bunkering publication Manifold Times, Morten Østergaard Jacobsen, Managing Director Asia of international bunkering firm Monjasa, recently highlighted the company’s next steps in biofuel and other alternative marine fuels following its inaugural biofuel bunkering in Singapore as well as the importance of International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) EU certificate and Proof and Sustainability:

MT: Could you share with us your recent biofuel delivery milestone in Singapore?

Monjasa supplied 2,000 metric tonnes (mt) of B24 to container vessel YM Wonderland on 24 July 2024. The supply was organised and supplied by Monjasa using barge MT Radiance, which is one of three barges controlled by Monjasa in the Port of Singapore.

MT: Following Monjasa’s inaugural biofuel bunkering operation at Singapore port on 24 July, what long term plans does the firm have to expand its biofuels bunkering foothold at the world’s largest bunkering port?

We are pleased to have successfully sourced, shipped and delivered biofuels in the Port of Singapore for the first time. An important milestone for our seafarers, trading and operations departments towards enabling the low-carbon fuel mix.

Looking at the overall biofuels landscape in Singapore, we expect to see more and more inquiries, not least because of our global operations and 15 offices which enables us to organise biofuels supplies on a string of supply locations across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

MT: Why is it necessary for bunkering firms to obtain ISCC EU certification and Proof and Sustainability (PoS) documents for biofuel bunkering operations worldwide?

We believe that there are several advantages of being ISCC-certified and able to issue a PoS along with a biofuel delivery. The PoS is for shipowners the first step towards compliance with maritime decarbonisation legislation, as it provides a credible and verified account of the emission savings associated with the biofuel product.

MT: Do scenarios exist where biofuel bunkering operations can be conducted without the above credentials? And what are the risks shipowners take when they lift a biofuel bunker stem without these credentials?

It is not a legal requirement to be ISCC-certified or issue a PoS with a biofuel delivery. At the end of the day, it is the responsibility of the shipowner to document savings, which is not possible without a PoS. The risks linked to delivering a non-certified product is that the product does not live up to expected standards.

In the biofuels feedstock market, products can easily be claimed to be sustainable, but it is the PoS that ensures the product is in fact sustainably produced, sourced, etc. This is why the ISCC system brings value by verifying the supply chain.

MT: Aside from PoS documents, what other checks does Monjasa conduct to ensure biofuels supplied comes from legitimate sustainable sources?

In addition to the ISCC, Monjasa conducts internal due diligence with respect to our ISO standards, including HSEQ and compliance evaluations. We also conduct prior checks of suppliers on certification alignment with the ISCC database.

MT: Even though palm-based biofuel is not recognised by the EU as a sustainable energy source, the product may still be useful as a bunker fuel for ships travelling outside EU. Will Monjasa consider including palm-based biofuel within its product portfolio for clients plying non-EU routes? And what are the commercial benefits in doing so?

In general, Monjasa will deliver the product requested by a customer, but if the feedstock is not RED-compliant, we are not able to issue a PoS along with the delivery.

MT: Since biofuels are produced from a variety of sources, how does Monjasa balance interests between clients choosing biofuels produced from particular feedstocks given limited avails while ensuring quality in these cases?

Monjasa seeks to establish supply chains, where there is availability and demand, for it to make commercial sense. Yes, there is limited availability of certain types of biofuels, which means we sometimes have to source from multiple suppliers to establish one delivery and meet customer requirements.

ISCC does not ensure quality. This is ensured through other standards, such as the ISO 8217. Currently, there is no universal reference to an industry standard, but we are hopeful that the recently issued ISO8217:2024 can become a commonly referred to standard for biofuels within the industry. Until then, we continue to observe market developments on biofuel quality standards as well as conduct tests on the products delivered in alignment with the standard preferred by the customer.

MT: Besides biofuels, does Monjasa have any plans to introduce other alternative fuels to the Singapore bunker market?

Our ambition is to remain a relevant trading partner and offer the full fuel mix requested by the shipping industry. Right now, our focus is on educating our colleagues on the new fuel types to ensure that Monjasa is ready to supply these products once a more liquid low-carbon fuels market emerges. But it’s not up to the bunkering industry alone.

We need to work together, shipping companies, suppliers and authorities to establish a viable way forward. Right now, I believe that we are all awaiting further regulation to push demand up and ensure the green shipping transition in due time.

MT: With SIBCON 2024 around the corner, are there any exciting announcements/plans that Monjasa will be sharing on its operations in Singapore and Asia?

We have recently added a third barge, the newbuild MT Zale, to our supply operations in the Port of Singapore, which already consists of MT Zmaga and MT Radiance. As a direct result, we are servicing more customers than ever and seeing a substantial increase in volumes compared to previous years.

Looking at the wider Asian region, we are ready to size new opportunities when the timing is right. Just like we did when expanding to Ho Chi Minh City and Shanghai during the recent years.

Photo credit: Monjasa
Published: 28 August, 2024

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ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam; Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO; Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO.

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ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Once a week, bunker intelligence platform ENGINE will publish a snapshot of alternative and conventional bunker fuel prices in the world’s two biggest bunkering hubs. The following is the latest snapshot:

20 July 2026

B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam
Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO
Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO

B100’s premium over HSFO in Rotterdam has narrowed by $50/mt over the past week to $64/mt, while its discount to VLSFO has widened by $83/mt to $105/mt.

B100 has become far more competitive against LSMGO in Rotterdam, with its discount widening by $180/mt over the past week to $541/mt, as a surge in conventional fuel prices left B100 broadly unchanged by comparison.

B100’s price has risen by $109/mt in Singapore, but its discount to LSMGO has still widened by $102/mt to $106/mt, as LSMGO surged by an even greater $211/mt.

Rotterdam’s LNG premium over VLSFO has widened by $35/mt to $201/mt for vessels with Otto medium speed (Otto MS) engines. For vessels with diesel slow speed (diesel SS) engines, LNG has flipped to a $15/mt premium over VLSFO, from a $22/mt discount the prior week.

Liquefied biomethane (LBM) discounts to VLSFO in Rotterdam have narrowed by $50-52/mt to $203-396/mt over the past week. Against LSMGO, LBM discounts have widened by $45-47/mt to $639-833/mt, depending on engine type.

In Singapore, LNG is now $42/mt cheaper than LSMGO for vessels with Otto MS engines, and $134/mt cheaper for vessels with diesel SS engines.

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Liquid fuels

HSFO and VLSFO prices in Rotterdam have jumped by $66/mt and $99/mt respectively over the past week, while LSMGO has surged by an even steeper $196/mt. A $9.69/bbl ($71/mt) rise in front-month ICE Brent futures, to $87.94/bbl ($645/mt), drove bunker prices sharply higher across the board.

Bunker fuel availability is tight for prompt delivery dates in the ARA ports, with buyers advised to enquire about stems between 5-7 days ahead to get good coverage, a trader said.

Rotterdam’s B100 price has risen by $16/mt over the past week. Dutch ZRE A ticket prices were unchanged at €107.50/mtCO2e.

Singapore’s HSFO and VLSFO prices have risen by $130/mt and $132/mt respectively, while its LSMGO price has gained an even steeper $211/mt over the past week.

VLSFO availability in Singapore has been tight, with several suppliers reporting low stock levels. Recommended lead times have widened from 13–17 days last week to 14–19 days now.

Liquid gases

Rotterdam’s LNG prices have surged by $134-136/mt over the past week, while its LBM prices have climbed by $149-151/mt.

LBM discounts to LNG in Rotterdam have narrowed by $15/mt to $404-411/mt.

Singapore’s LNG bunker benchmarks have surged by $196-197/mt over the past week.

By Erik Hoffmann

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 21 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Repsol supplied 2,800 mt of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, “Antonia Maersk”, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean.

Published

1 day ago

July 20, 2026

Admin

Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Spanish energy company Repsol and shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) completed the first bioethanol bunkering operation in the Port of Barcelona, according to the port authority on Wednesday (15 July).

Repsol successfully supplied 2,800 metric tonnes (mt) of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, Antonia Maersk, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean.

The operation demonstrates growing demand for alcohol-based marine fuels, as well as the readiness of the infrastructure, logistics, and operational capabilities required to support their deployment at commercial scale.

Juan Abascal, Repsol’s Executive Managing Director of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy, said: “With this supply, we reaffirm our commitment to the decarbonization of maritime transport through solutions that are available today and ready to scale in the future.

“At Repsol, we provide shipping companies with a reliable supply chain and a multi-energy strategy that combines different renewable fuels to support the sector in a safe, competitive, and sustainable transition.”

The supply took place in the Port of Barcelona under fully commercial conditions, bringing together key players across the maritime value chain and demonstrating how collaboration can accelerate the adoption of lower-emission solutions in shipping.

The delivery was carried out by Bahía Candela, Repsol’s newest bunker vessel, operated by Mureloil and designed to supply both conventional marine fuels and next-generation energy products.

During the bunkering operation, Bahía Candela operated using its battery system, enabling the fuel transfer to be completed with zero local emissions, and further reducing the environmental footprint of the operation.

Prior to the bunkering, Maersk tested ethanol on one of its smaller vessels, the 1,800 TEU feeder vessel Laura Maersk, which in 2023 became the world’s first dual-fuel container vessel able to operate on methanol. Today, Maersk has 23 dual-fuel container vessels designed to operate on methanol; however, the company continues to explore ethanol as an alternative fuel for its methanol-enabled vessels. Laura Maersk has performed sailings on 100% ethanol as well as blends of ethanol and methanol.

Emma Mazhari, Vice President Energy Markets at Maersk, said: “Following the successful ethanol trials conducted on Laura Maersk, this latest bunkering of Antonia Maersk marks another important step in our efforts to explore scalable low-emission fuel solutions.

“As the first ethanol trial on one of our large dual-fuel vessels, with a capacity of 16,000 TEU, it allows us to deepen our understanding of ethanol’s operational potential at scale.

“Building on the experience we have gained with methanol, we are working closely with port authorities and industry partners to develop the infrastructure and procedures needed to support ethanol bunkering. Ethanol is one of several pathways we are pursuing to diversify our future fuel portfolio and help accelerate the development of new, viable liquid marine fuel markets.”

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 20 July, 2026

Biofuel

DP World, Svitzer switch harbour tug to HVO100 biofuel at London Gateway

“Svitzer Thames” switching from marine diesel to HVO can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 700 mt annually, while also improving local air quality.

Published

1 day ago

July 20, 2026

Admin

DP World, Svitzer switch harbour tug to 100% HVO at London Gateway

Global logistics group DP World recently said the company bunkered the first harbour tug to use 100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel at London Gateway, in collaboration with Svitzer.

Svitzer Thames handles some of the world’s largest container ships at the port, and switching from marine diesel to HVO can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 700 metric tonnes (mt) annually, while also improving local air quality.

“DP World and Svitzer are working together to use biofuel on tugs to reduce emissions in the UK, enabling cargo owners to actively reduce supply chain emissions at the source,” DP World said in a social media post.

“By transitioning to this lower lifecycle emissions solution, we are helping our customers to tackle scope 3 emissions and meet their sustainability goals along the supply chain.”

DP World partnered with marine services company Svitzer, under a partnership that will see its tug boats serving DP World’s ports transition to these fuels.

Manifold Times previously reported DP World supporting the bunkering of tugboat Svitzer Bargate using 100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in place of conventional diesel.

The operation was conducted at the Port of Southampton in the UK.

The company added that the emissions savings from this activity form part of the last nautical mile carbon inset credits under its Carbon Inset Programme, enabling cargo owners to actively reduce supply chain emissions at the source.

Photo credit: DP World
Published: 20 July, 2026