Business

MAN Energy Solutions opens largest service hub in Singapore

New facility able to meet demand for repairs, maintenance and training services for MAN Energy Solutions’ alternative-fuel engines, such as two-stroke methanol dual-fuel engines.

Published

7 months ago

March 4, 2024

Admin

Singapore on Friday (1 March) welcomed the opening of MAN Energy Solutions’ new mixed purpose facility today that will expand their local business activities.

MAN Energy Solutions is one of the global engine makers of alternative-fuel engines, and is driving the maritime energy transition by enabling the use of cleaner fuels in ships around the world.

Located in Tuas, MAN Energy Solutions' EUR 20 mil (SGD30 mil) investment will include a new MAN PrimeServ training academy for customers and employees, a logistics centre to serve as the warehouse for Asia, and a PrimeServ workshop to provide maintenance and repair services, including for MAN Energy Solutions’ alternative-fuel engines.

The new facility will serve as the largest service hub for MAN Energy Solutions’ activities and engagements outside of Europe, and will allow shipowners and ship managers to gain round-the-clock access to technical services for MAN Energy Solutions products such as repairs and maintenance of their alternative-fuel two-stroke engines, reduce turnaround times for ships due to quicker access to spare parts, and providing training for seafarers on the safe operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of all MAN Energy Solutions equipment.

The new facility would also be timely to cater to the demand for repairs, maintenance and training services for MAN Energy Solutions’ alternative-fuel engines, such as the two-stroke methanol dual-fuel engines that are already available and for the two-stroke ammonia dual-fuel engines that are currently in development.

The mixed-purpose facility was launched by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.

SMS Khor said: “MAN Energy Solutions has been a long-time partner for Maritime Singapore since its establishment here in 1977. I am heartened that MAN Energy Solutions has placed a strong vote of confidence in Singapore by setting up its second hub outside of Europe here, setting the stage for collaboration in maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation, and talent development.”

“The expansion of MAN Energy Solutions’ workshop and warehouse activities will provide much needed capacity to support the maintenance of ocean-going vessels that adopt engines fuelled by new marine fuels.”

“MAN Energy Solutions' expanded training academy will also support Singapore's drive to upskill and reskill of our workforce, to build confidence for maritime workers to safely handle new marine fuels. I look forward to many more years of meaningful collaboration, especially in these emerging areas.”

Dr Uwe Lauber, CEO MAN Energy Solutions, said, “With over 9,000 square metres of floor space, Singapore is our largest hub outside of Europe in what is one of the most important maritime centres globally. We intend for this mixed-purpose facility to advance the maritime energy transition locally through education, logistics, and a comprehensive after-sales portfolio. Ultimately, we are ‘moving big things to zero’ and leading our customers towards a multi-fuel, decarbonised future.”

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive Officer of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, said, “As the world’s largest bunkering port and major transhipment hub, Singapore is committed to the maritime digitalisation and the green transition. We have been long-time partners with MAN Energy Solutions and have been working closely together in various methanol and ammonia shipping consortiums and also in skills development.”

“MAN Energy Solutions’ new maintenance and training facility here will add deep expertise and experience to the growing and vibrant new fuels ecosystem here and also upskilling of our maritime workforce, especially in the area of new methanol and ammonia engines.”

Nicolas Brabeck, Managing Director, MAN Energy Solutions, Singapore, said: “This new facility represents one of the biggest investments that we have made outside of our product centres within recent years. It forms a key part of our company’s Triple 10+ business strategy that aims for growth through green technologies. In this context, we intend to equip our personnel with the right skillsets to handle the new technologies coming online and drive our business forward. We therefore expect to significantly increase staff numbers on-site to some 400 people by 2027, and look forward to cultivating great relationships with our customers and the various, Singaporean authorities.”

MAN Energy Solutions’ Singapore office is its largest service hub outside Europe, and currently employs 250 staff.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 4 March 2024

Bunker Fuel

China: Zhoushan to host 7th IPEC commodities, bunker conferences on 16 to 17 October

Global marine bunker development will be among main topics of discussion at the 7th International Petroleum and Natural Gas Enterprises Conference (IPEC).

Published

2 days ago

October 11, 2024

Admin

China: Zhoushan to host 7th IPEC commodities, bunker conferences on 16 to 17 October

The 7th International Petroleum and Natural Gas Enterprises Conference (IPEC) is taking place at Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China between 16 to 17 October.

The agenda, provided by the Zhoushan High-tech Zone Administrative Committee to foreign event media partner Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times, is as follows:

16 October

Registration and sign-in for participating guests
Meetings between Zhejiang Provincial and Zhoushan Municipal leaders with VIPs

17 October

Morning

Plenary Session of the Conference (Oriental Hall, Zhoushan International Conference Center)

Leader’s speech, guest keynote speech, signing of major projects

Discussion Topics [*17 October, 2pm to 5pm]

Focus Topic Meeting: Global marine bunker development*
Location: Haitian Hall, Haizhongzhou International Hotel, Zhoushan

14:00-14:05 - Opening of the Meeting

14:05-14:15 - Speech by Leaders

14:15-14:30 - Announcement of "Top Ten Global Bunkering Ports" and "Top Ten Global Bunkering Companies"

14:30-14:40 - Announcement of Construction Work of Northeast Asia Bonded Marine Fuel Bunkering Hub

14:40-14:50 – Launch ceremony of Zhoushan "White-list" Bunker Barge Mass Flow Meter System Pilot Certification Programme

14:50-15:10 - Signing Ceremony

15:10-16:10 - Keynote speech

16:10-16:35 - Coffee break

16:35-17:05 - Roundtable forum (Topic: Facing green and low-carbon transformation in global shipping, how do marine fuels change in response to the trend?)

17:05-17:35 - Roundtable forum (Topic: The road to develop high-quality offshore fuel bunkering metering under the new developments)

17:35-17:40 - Moderator’s summary

Utilising financial innovation, futures and spot cooperation to promote the construction of a hub for the allocation of bulk commodity resources*
Location: Putuo Hall, Zhoushan International Conference Center

Open development of global shipping trade*
Location: Donghai Hall, Hilton Zhoushan

International iron ore trade development*
Location: Banquet Hall 1/3, The Westin Zhujiajian Resort, Zhoushan

Development of China's new chemical materials industry during the “15th Five-Year Plan”*
Location: Banquet Hall 1/3, The Westin Zhujiajian Resort, Zhoushan

Development of non-ferrous metal mining industry*
Location: Lianhua Ocean Hall, Hilton Zhoushan

16 and 17 October
International maritime law of the free trade port (zone)
Location: Fortune Hall, Zhoushan CaiFu Hotel

Photo credit: Zhoushan High-tech Zone Administrative Committee
Published: 11 October, 2024

Alternative Fuels

SIBCON 2024: Vitol anticipates securing LNG bunker licence in Singapore

‘It would be unthinkable not to deploy at least one of the three barges Vitol has on order in Singapore,’ says Vitol’s Head of Asia Mike Muller during a panel discussion.

Published

2 days ago

October 11, 2024

Admin

SIBCON 2024: Vitol anticipates securing LNG bunker licence in Singapore

Energy trader Vitol’s Head of Asia Mike Muller on Wednesday (9 October) said the company is anticipating being granted a LNG bunker licence in Singapore soon.

“It would be unthinkable not to deploy at least one of the three barges Vitol has on order in Singapore,” he said.

Mike Muller made the announcement during the Viewing the Energy Transition Through the Lens panel discussion at the 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON).

“We expect to see growth in LNG use as a bunker fuel for at least another decade, and probably longer,” he added.

On the increasing uptake of biofuels, he said Vitol is seeing demand for biofuel blended bunkers in Singapore roughly doubling every year at the moment, heading for around 1 million mt this year and maybe 2 million mt next year.

“Demand for 100% biofuel from shipping customers is also starting to pick up as of this year and we have led the way in commissioning new IMO type 2 barges to fulfil this demand - indeed an important Asian customer of ours has taken three deliveries of B100 UCOME biofuel just in recent weeks here in Singapore,” Muller explained.

Manifold Times previously reported Vitol securing three LNG Bunkering Vessels (LNGBV) through its shipping company, Vitol International Shipping Pte Ltd (VIS).

The vessels were secured via a seven to ten year time charter agreement with Avenir LNG Limited (Avenir) and an order for two vessels at the CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. Ltd shipyard in Nantong, China.

The time charter agreement with Avenir is for one newbuild 20,000m3 LNGBV. The time charter will commence at delivery from the shipyard in China in Q4 2026 and will serve a period of seven years with options to extend up to ten years in total

Vitol also ordered one 12,500 m3 and one 20,000 m3 LNGBV at the CIMC SOE shipyard in China. The vessels will be delivered in Q4 2026 and Q3 2027 respectively.

Photo credit: Vitol
Published: 11 October, 2024

Bunker Fuel

SIBCON 2024: Bunker players sign SCMA pledge to drive progress within Maritime Singapore

Bunker players involved include Consort Bunkers, Equatorial Marine Fuel, Golden Island, Hong Lam Marine, Kenoil Marine Services, Marubeni International Petroleum and Sinopec Fuel Oil.

Published

2 days ago

October 11, 2024

Admin

SIBCON 2024: Bunker players sign SCMA pledge to drive progress within Maritime Singapore

Some 10 bunker players on Tuesday (8 October) signed a pledge with Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) at the 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON).

The bunker players involved are Consort Bunkers Pte Ltd, Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services Pte Ltd, Fratelli Cosulich Bunkers (S) Pte Ltd, Global Energy Trading Pte Ltd, Golden Island Pte Ltd, Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd, Kenoil Marine Services Pte Ltd, Marubeni International Petroleum (S) Pte Ltd, Sinopec Fuel Oil (Singapore) Pte ltd and Victory Pte Ltd.

SCMA and the pledgees will work together to promote and enhance the capabilities and opportunities within the Maritime Singapore community and ecosystem.

Among the aspirational goals embodied by the SCMA Pledge is that the pledgees give preferential consideration, where appropriate, for the use of the SCMA Arbitration Rules for the resolution of their maritime or international trade disputes.

The bunker players may also use its best endeavours to support the Maritime Singapore community and ecosystem, including contributing to the development and dissemination of best practices as well as providing support and opportunity to young maritime legal and dispute resolution professionals in the form of internships, mentorships, and educational seminars aimed at fostering the next generation of maritime leaders.

SCMA, a specialist arbitration institution, is the only arbitration institution in Singapore focused on maritime and international trade disputes.

It offers the maritime and international trade sectors a set of arbitration rules and guidelines which are flexible and cost effective.

Users of SCMA arbitration include maritime companies, international traders and commodity companies for the resolution of their disputes such as those involving charterparty, bunker, commercial sales, cargo, oil and gas, shipbuilding and ship repair.

Photo credit: Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration
Published: 11 October, 2024