MPA: 24% of licensed bunker suppliers embark on digital bunkering to date

Digital platform

Published Wed, 6th March 2024
by Admin

Four solution providers have been approved by MPA so far — ADP Clear, Angsana Technology Pte Ltd, ZeroNorth (BTS Pte Ltd) and Bunkerchain.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (5 March) shared key maritime achievements of Singapore including in digital bunkering.

The port authority said to date, four solution providers have been approved by MPA and about 24% of the licensed bunker suppliers and barge operators in the Port of Singapore have embarked on digital bunkering operations.

The four solution providers are ADP Clear, Angsana Technology Pte Ltd, ZeroNorth (BTS Pte Ltd) and Bunkerchain.

In November 2023, MPA launched the digital bunkering initiative, becoming the first port in the world to implement electronic bunker delivery notes.

Licensed bunker suppliers, ship owners, operators and crew using the mobile and cloud solutions approved by MPA to complete and issue digital bunkering documents can save close to 40,000 man-days per year, reducing compliance costs and improving productivity of the bunkering sector.

Separately, MPA said it has developed a Just-In-time Planning and Coordination Platform (JIT platform) under Phase 2 of digitalPORT@SG™.

The JIT Platform provides advanced and real-time information on vessel schedules in port, allowing vessels to maintain optimal voyage speeds, minimise idling time at anchorages and reducing ships’ turnaround time. Marine Service Providers can also use the JIT Platform to plan and optimise the deployment of port resources such as pilotage, towage, bunker tankers and suppliers more effectively.

Companies utilising the JIT Platform can enjoy cost savings or cost avoidance with shorter port stays and optimised voyage planning. Through voyage optimisation, vessels can also lower their fuel consumption and reduce overall carbon emissions, and catch-up on arrival delays into Singapore, including those due to route disruptions.

From 1 October 2023, vessels berthing at the terminals of PSA Singapore and Jurong Port for cargo operations can use the JIT platform. The JIT platform will be available to tankers berthing at the energy terminals and to all vessels calling at the anchorages by the 3rd quarter 2024.

Also, MPA announced the total business spending by key maritime companies overseen by MPA exceeded SGD 4.8 billion, up from SGD 4.3 billion in 2022.

25 maritime companies established or expanded their operations in Singapore last year. These included maritime services companies and companies setting up sustainability desks in Singapore as part of their decarbonisation strategy and growth plans.

MPA also highlighted the annual vessel arrival tonnage in the Port of Singapore crossed three billion Gross Tonnage (GT) for the first time, increasing by 9.4% over 2022 and setting a high of 3.09 billion GT in 2023.

“This reflects growth in all segments of our port ecosystem, including container ships, dry bulk carriers, liquid bulk and chemical tankers, ferries and specialised vessels, amidst a global trade slowdown,” it added.

Note: The full update by MPA on key achievements can be found here.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 6 March 2024

MPA: 24% of licensed bunker suppliers embark on digital bunkering to date

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