The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is launching an open call for applications for methanol bunker supplier licences in the Port of Singapore, said Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor on Tuesday (25 March). 

The initiative is part of Singapore’s effort to foster a competitive and innovative ecosystem to accelerate the adoption of low- or zero-carbon fuels, while collaborating with industry stakeholders to ensure their safe and effective deployment.

“To meet growing interest in methanol among shipowners, MPA is launching an open call for applications for methanol bunker supplier licences in the Port of Singapore to implement an end-to-end methanol supply model,” Khor said in her speech at the Accelerating Digitalisation and Decarbonisation Conference, as part of the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW 2025).

“This will build on the recently published Technical Reference for Methanol Bunkering, and the Standards for the Port Limit Methanol Bunker Tankers, to provide a consistent approach to ensure the safe and efficient use of methanol.”

During SMW 2024, MPA announced its regulatory framework for methanol bunkering licence was close to be finalised and would call for applications for a licence to supply methanol as a marine fuel in Singapore. 

In 2023, MPA issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting parties interested in supplying methanol as a bunker fuel in the Port of Singapore. The EOI aims to gather proposals for the implementation of end-to-end methanol bunkering solutions in Singapore from 2025.

Khor also said MPA has also been collaborating closely with industry partners and the A*STAR Institute of High-Performance Computing to conduct virtual simulations of ammonia bunkering operations. 

“These simulations are critical for evaluating and mitigating the environmental and safety risks associated with ammonia bunkering operations. This methodology is also extended to other fuels such as LNG and methanol,” she said. 

In parallel, Singaporean companies such as Seatrium and PSA are exploring initiatives aimed at harnessing and utilising low-carbon energy fuels for the maritime sector.

Related: Singapore releases new standard on methanol bunkering, gears up for multi-fuel future
Related: SMW 2024: MPA receives 50 submissions for EOI to supply methanol bunker fuel in Singapore
Related: MPA issues EOI seeking for methanol bunker fuel suppliers in Singapore

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 25 March, 2025

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Port of Rotterdam on Tuesday (25 March) said they have signed a Cooperation Agreement to further strengthen their efforts on the Rotterdam-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor. 

This follows the success of the corridor as a driving force of maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation since its inception in 2022.

The two ports have since brought together 28 partners across the entire container shipping value chain to drive the deployment of sustainable fuels on the 15,000-kilometer shipping route and implement digital solutions for improved efficiency. 

The collective ambition is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of large container vessels on the corridor by 20-30% by 2030, while accelerating the adoption of global standards and solutions to facilitate efficient port calls, flow of goods, and enable paperless handling.

To support the decarbonisation of shipping, the collaboration focused on testing and accelerating the adoption of sustainable fuels, with the aim of making them available, accepted and affordable for large-scale use. Emphasis will be on bio- and e-variants of ammonia, methanol, and methane, with working groups established for each fuel type.

Since 2022, several first-mover pilot projects have been carried out, including the first successful bunkering of mass-balanced liquefied bio-methane at the Port of Rotterdam. A similar trial is planned in Singapore in 2025. 

Other achievements include the completion of a Life Cycle greenhouse gas Assessment (LCA) of green ammonia as a marine fuel, and strong support for the development and implementation of the Port Readiness Framework of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), which helps ports assess their preparedness to supply sustainable marine fuels.

In the next phase, the partners plan to conduct further studies and trials for the bunkering of bio-methane, methanol and ammonia to support their future use along the shipping corridor. They also aim to develop and mobilise financial instruments to address the cost barriers associated with using low- and near-zero emission fuels.

On the digital front, the two ports have successfully trialled the exchange of port-toport data to exchange vessel arrival and departure timestamps. In support of digital initiatives  by the IMO, this effort aims to optimise vessel arrival planning and port operations between Singapore and Rotterdam. 

Both ports have also established ship-to-shore data exchange infrastructure to enable efficient and secure submission of port clearance information. This saves time and minimises data entry errors through automated data filling. The first phase to trial the use of global standards and digital solutions began in March 2025, with an enhanced solution scheduled for testing in the second half of 2025.

Both government and industry partners are at Singapore Maritime Week to advance the discussions and work on realising the goals of the Green and Digital Shipping Corridor.

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said, “The continued progress through the Singapore-Rotterdam Green and Digital Shipping Corridor is testament to the role of public private collaboration to bring decarbonisation and digitalisation initiatives from ideas to implementation.”

“We look forward to collaborating with more partners to bring impact to one of the world’s busiest shipping routes and accelerate the decarbonisation and digitalisation of the shipping industry.”

Mr Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam, said, “By bringing together parties across the entire value chain, the Rotterdam-Singapore Green & Digital Shipping Corridor has helped to make first, valuable steps towards the decarbonisation of international shipping while also improving efficiency of trade and setting new industry standards.”

“At the same time, we still have a lot of work ahead of us and we are looking forward to continue our work on this together with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.”

Related: SMW 2024: Singapore-Rotterdam Green and Digital Shipping Corridor partners to implement first-mover pilot projects

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 25 March, 2025

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) on Tuesday (25 March) renewed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration in research and development, talent development, workforce upskilling, support for startup maritime businesses, and regulatory alignment. 

The renewal marked a comprehensive and future-oriented collaboration that continues to strengthen Singapore’s role as a global maritime hub while advancing ABS’ strategic initiatives in Singapore.

As part of the five-year arrangement, ABS will establish the ABS Singapore Maritime Safety Centre, a cutting-edge facility designed to provide immersive training for seafarers and maritime professionals, in support of the MPA’s Maritime Energy Training Facility (METF).

ABS is investing USD$4.5 million in the centre, which is expected to create new employment opportunities for the region.

By employing the latest training techniques, including virtual reality and game-based training systems, the ABS Singapore Maritime Safety Centre can simulate realistic training scenarios with varying levels of complexity, without putting the vessel or crew at risk.

Maritime professionals and students will have the opportunity to learn and acquire skills in the safe handling of alternative fuels, such as ammonia and methanol, as well as the deployment of battery and electric propulsion systems at the Centre.

Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, said: “The maritime industry’s transition to net zero demands not only innovation but also a workforce equipped to deliver all of the advances in technology and fuel without compromising safety.”

“Through this expanded collaboration with MPA, ABS is committed to advancing research and development, nurturing talent, and delivering world-class training that empowers seafarers and shore-based professionals alike in the safe operation of next generation assets.”

“Singapore’s leadership in maritime sustainability makes it the ideal partner for this critical mission. ABS is proud to support the transformational METF project and honoured to be selected as a partner.”

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “The renewal of MPA’s MOU with ABS underscores our shared vision for a sustainable and future-ready maritime sector.”

“By combining expertise in R&D, talent development and workforce training, we are strengthening  Singapore as a global hub for maritime innovation and the upskilling of maritime professionals. MPA looks forward to our continued collaboration with ABS and the addition of the ABS Singapore Maritime Safety Centre to the METF suite of training capabilities.”

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 25 March, 2025