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MBA and MASA sign MoU to boost bunkering and trade activities in Malaysia

MoU, effective for three years, is expected to help contain outflow of funds by prioritising local bunkering players; it will also address illegal activities in local bunkering and shipping scene.
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Malaysia Bunkering Association (MBA) on Friday (5 May) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysia Shipowners’ Association (MASA) that will promote employment of local vessels and provide more opportunities for Malaysian players in bunkering and trade activities.

The exclusive collaboration, effective for three years, is expected to help contain the outflow of funds by prioritising local bunkering players. It will also address illegal activities in the bunkering and shipping scene. 

The MoU was signed at an event graced by Minister of Transport Anthony Loke Siew Fook, attended by Manifold Times.

Under the MoU, the signatories will share information about their registered members upon request as well as share latest news or regulations pertaining to the Malaysian marine and the International Maritime Organisation. In addition, both MBA and MASA will collaborate to work with relevant authorities to avoid any redundancies in their pursuit of improvement for the shipping and maritime industries.

Malaysia Bunkering Association Chairman Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin, said: “We are delighted to have YB Anthony Loke Siew Fook, the Minister of Transport, for witnessing this significant event today. We hope to work closely with the government as we strive to collectively achieve Malaysia’s aspiration to become a major maritime nation.”

“With the continued growth in domestic trade activities, the Malaysian bunkering landscape has a bright future ahead. Hence, the collaboration with MASA is necessary in order to ensure that local vessel owners are the ultimate beneficiaries of the robust future demand. We also hope to jointly contribute to tackling illegal activities affecting the maritime industry.”

Malaysia Shipowners’ Association Chairman Mr. Mohamed Safwan Othman, said: “I am optimistic that this collaboration between MASA and MBA would allow us to jointly develop feasible business opportunities for local players. This is vital in furthering strengthening the local maritime scene, particularly bunkering and shipping services.”

“As an industry body that has been around for more than four decades, MASA can contribute significantly by advising on industry best practices. Our strong and long-built relationship with relevant authorities will also benefit this MASA-MBA collaboration. We hope that through this tie-up, challenges and risks faced by Malaysian shipowners’ can be mitigated for better growth ahead.”

In his opening speech at the event, Mr. Mohamed Safwan Othman said bunkering is one of the important activities in ensuring the shipping industry continues to function optimally.

“This matter was noted in the Review of Maritime Transport 2022 from the United Nations Conference of Trade and Development (UNCTAD) which recorded the value of Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) above USD 1,000 per tonne in the middle of 2022, with an increase of more than 160% from June 2022. This increase is due to increased demand from the industry following the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. 

Seeing the great potential of the local bunkering industry, he urged the government to take proactive steps in ensuring that Malaysia becomes the destination of choice for bunkering to further boost the effectiveness and competitiveness of Malaysian ports.

“With Malaysia’s strategic position on the world’s busiest shipping route, the Malacca Strait, Malaysia has a golden opportunity to grab market share in the region,” he added. 

“Recognising this opportunity, industry players, especially ship owners, need a conducive policy, not only for bunkering, but for all Malaysian flag ship owners who are lagging behind. Until 2022, Malaysia has fallen two steps behind with its fleet size with a record of over 9 million deadweight (dwt) only, compared to Singapore with a record of 130 million dwt, Indonesia with 23 million dwt and Viet Nam which has surpassed Malaysia in 2022 with a record of 12 million.”

For the purpose of implementing the collaboration as provided under the MOU signed today, both MBA and MASA have agreed that the detailed terms and conditions of the collaboration will be determined in the Definitive Agreement.

Established in 2021, MBA is founded by a group of like-minded Malaysian physical bunkering suppliers to improve the standards of bunkering within the Malaysian ports. MBA strives to encourage co-operation within the industry and also organises activities to attract customers to take bunkers in Malaysian ports.

Meanwhile, MASA is the only national industry organisation representing shipowners in Malaysia. Founded in 1976, MASA has a central role to play in the development of the shipping industry in the country, thanks to its strong rapport with relevant government agencies such as the Marine Department and the Maritime Division in the Ministry of Transport.

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 5 May, 2023

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Emissions reporting

ZeroNorth and Veracity by DNV launch end-to-end emissions reporting, verification service

New offering combines ZeroNorth’s Vessel Reporting and Emissions Analytics platform with Veracity platform and DNV’s Emissions Connect verification services to deliver an end-to-end compliance solution.
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ZeroNorth and Veracity by DNV launch end-to-end emissions reporting, verification service

Maritime technology solutions provider ZeroNorth on Friday (16 May) said it has partnered with Veracity by DNV to launch a fully integrated emissions reporting and verification service for the maritime industry. 

Teekay is the first customer that will be implementing the service across its fleet, following successful testing and development.

As regulatory requirements tighten, ZeroNorth said maritime operators face growing demands for emissions transparency and reporting integrity. At the same time, poor data quality remains an industry-wide challenge. 

“The new offering combines ZeroNorth’s Vessel Reporting and Emissions Analytics platform with the Veracity platform and DNV’s Emissions Connect verification services to deliver an end-to-end compliance solution,” the company said in a statement. 

“The offering simplifies compliance by integrating automated data reporting with expert validation, reducing administrative burdens and improving data reliability.”

A key differentiator is the multi-layered data quality feedback loop, which ensures emissions data undergoes rigorous validation at multiple stages. Verification warnings from Veracity by DNV are automatically flagged to ZeroNorth’s data quality team, which then works directly with vessel crews to resolve discrepancies before final submission to authorities. 

This reduces compliance risks and enhances regulatory confidence while supporting continuous monitoring of EU MRV, IMO DCS, CII ratings, EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime compliance.

Teekay, a long-standing customer of ZeroNorth, participated in early testing of the solution and providing operational feedback. Since its successful implementation with Teekay, the service has been rolled out to two additional customers, and further deployments are underway.

Anders Schulze, Chief Operations Officer at ZeroNorth, said: “The maritime industry faces growing pressure to ensure emissions data is not just reported, but verified to the highest standards. Yet fragmented systems and manual processes continue to undermine data quality and increase compliance risk. 

“By combining ZeroNorth’s data and analytics capabilities with Veracity by DNV’s verification expertise, we are directly addressing this challenge. Our goal is to build trust in emissions data and reduce complexity for shipowners and charterers. We’re especially pleased that Teekay, a long-time partner, played a central role in shaping and validating the service.”

Mikkel Skou, Managing Director at Veracity by DNV, said: “At Veracity by DNV, the value of our ecosystem is built on strong partnerships, exemplified by our collaboration with ZeroNorth.

“By integrating trusted data and solutions like ZeroNorth’s Vessel Reporting and Emissions Analytics platform, we create a robust network that supports collaboration and drives sustainable growth in the maritime industry. 

“We look forward to continuing working towards our ambition to deliver trust and connectivity to the industry through this partnership with ZeroNorth.”

Mikkel Seidelin, Chief Commercial Officer at Teekay, said: “Partnering with ZeroNorth improves our ability to navigate complexities seamlessly, leveraging on data and technology to optimise our performance and reduce inefficiencies.

“When we are equipped with verified, end-to-end data, it empowers us as owners towards seamless decision-making, resulting in real sustainable and operational target-achievements.”

 

Photo credit: ZeroNorth
Published: 16 May, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 400th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FueLNG Bellina” successfully delivered LNG bunker fuel to “BYD Shenzhen”, the world’s largest LNG-fuelled car carrier at Singapore anchorage during its maiden voyage.
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May 16, 2025

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Singapore: FueLNG achieves 400th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Thursday (15 May) announced the successful completion of its 400th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation in the republic.

FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine and Shell Eastern Petroleum Pte Ltd, marked the milestone with bunker tanker FueLNG Bellina successfully refuelling BYD Shenzhen, the world’s largest LNG-fuelled car carrier, at Singapore anchorage during its maiden voyage.

“With a capacity of 9,200 vehicles and equipped with dual-fuel LNG propulsion, the BYD SHENZHEN represents the next generation of low-emission maritime transport,” it said in a social media post. 

Shell said it supported BYD Shenzhen on its maiden voyage as the supplier of the LNG bunker fuel. 

“Like all LNG dual fuel vessels, BYD Shenzhen is on the pathway to net zero emissions. She can take bio-LNG, and in the future e-LNG, in her fuel mix for further emission reduction and regulatory compliance,” it said in a separate social media post. 

 

Photo credit: Shell
Published: 16 May, 2025

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Biofuel

Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China’s largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation

Chimbusco Pan Nation delivered 6,300 mt of B24-VLSFO in Hong Kong to boxship “XIN LOS ANGELES” on 15 May, exceeding its previous record of 5,500 mt delivered in February 2025.
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May 16, 2025

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Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China's largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation

Hong Kong-based bunker supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) on Friday (16 May) said it has set a record for China’s largest B24 marine biofuel bunkering operation.

CPN said it delivered 6,300 metric tonnes (mt) of B24-VLSFO in Hong Kong to container ship XIN LOS ANGELES on 15 May. 

The supply exceeded CPN’s previous record of 5,500 mt delivered to the same ship in February 2025.

“This collaboration reinforces CPN’s ability to execute large-scale marine biofuel bunkering with precision and reliability,” the company said in a social media post.

“By consistently supplying large volumes of B24 marine biofuel, CPN supports reduced carbon emissions and sustainable shipping practices globally.”

Related: CPN achieves largest B24 bio bunker fuel delivery in Hong Kong and China

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical
Published: 16 May, 2025

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