Alternative Fuels
MPA blueprint prepares marine fuels sector for multi-fuel bunkering transition
Manifold Times provides a summary of the ‘Future Marine Fuels, Bunkering Standards and Infrastructure’ section of the 64-page document.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (9 March) introduced the Maritime Singapore Decarbonisation Blueprint: Working Towards 2050 document.
Bunkering publication Manifold Times provides a curated summary of the ‘Future Marine Fuels, Bunkering Standards and Infrastructure’ section, which specifies MPA’s plans for getting Singapore’s marine refuelling sector ready for a multi-fuel bunkering transition.
Future Maritime Energy Mix
Based on current industry pilots and feasibility studies, MPA believes biofuels and liquified natural gas (LNG) will be the likely interim or transitional fuels used in the near term.
Biofuels, which scored well from the perspective of readiness of supply, infrastructure and maturity of technology, and electrification have been identified as the most viable energy options for harbour craft operating within Singapore.
While not favouring any particular fuel type, MPA expects hydrogen and its carriers (including ammonia, e-methanol) as well as bio-LNG to potentially play important roles in the decarbonisation of international shipping in the mid to long term.
Moving forward, MPA will focus on seven anchors to facilitate the transition towards low and zero-carbon bunker fuels, namely: (i) technology trials and R&D, (ii) supply, (iii) regulations and standards development, (iv) demand, (v) financing, (vi) talent and skill development, and (vii) international collaboration and partnerships.
Technology Trials and R&D
MPA is actively collaborating with industry partners to conduct feasibility studies and pilot trials. Ongoing collaborations include:
Supply – Bunkering, Storage and Distribution
MPA envisages some existing infrastructure to be retrofitted, whilst investments into new infrastructure will allow the scaling up of fuel supply in line with shipping’s future demand for various low and zero-carbon fuels.
To support first movers, MPA is prepared to explore co-funding supply assets for low and zero-carbon fuel solutions by developing an ammonia bunkering ecosystem in Singapore through a pilot programme.
It will comprise of pilot trials, testing bunkering procedures, development of bunkering infrastructure, and honing of operational experiences and capabilities in ammonia bunkering.
Regulations and Standards Development
MPA is working to develop bunkering guidelines for future fuels in ports, such as through the Future Fuels Port Network, to enable the safe transport and bunkering of low and zero-emission fuels.
For ammonia, the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), setup by MPA and six founding partners in July 2021 has selected classification society DNV to lead a study to define a robust set of safety guidelines and operational envelopes that will establish the basis of a regulatory sandbox for ammonia bunkering trials at two local Singapore sites.
GCMD will also set up an Industry Consultation and Alignment Panel to solicit inputs in response to the findings and recommendations from the study.
In the longer term, MPA also plans to work with stakeholders to develop a set of Technical Reference guidelines on the safe bunkering of ammonia and will partner international partners to achieve harmonised global standards.
Demand – Market Structure and Policy
Given the potential future adoption of hydrogen and its carriers in the maritime industry, MPA is working with various government agencies to assess the land-take, infrastructure and resource needs to build the ecosystem needed to trial the import, storage, distribution, and transportation of hydrogen.
MPA will also partner the agencies to study the demand projections, regulatory incentives, and safety standards for future fuels across different sectors in Singapore.
Financing
MPA is working with MAS and industry partners to develop Singapore as a green maritime financing hub and expand the suite of green financing options.
This will increase accessibility to sustainability-linked financing for the development of low and zero-carbon fuel solutions.
Talent and Skill Development
Singapore’s efforts in maritime decarbonisation are projected to create and upskill a total of 1,200 sustainability-related jobs over the next ten years. This figure is expected to increase over time, as more green innovative technologies mature and the industry transits to meet IMO targets in 2030 and 2050.
MPA will work with industry partners to identify and map out emerging job roles and skills needs, and support enterprises to equip Singapore’s maritime workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge to support the development of a low and zero-carbon bunkering hub in Singapore.
MPA will also be providing co-funding support to employers and employees to ensure Singapore’s maritime workforce has the necessary relevant skills and knowledge in the domain of maritime decarbonisation.
International Partnerships
Together with the Port of Rotterdam and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan, MPA signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in October 2020 to form the Future Fuels Port Network.
The FFPN has developed a roadmap to explore the harmonisation of standards for the future marine fuels and pool the knowledge and network of various members to spur the development of future fuels, including the coordination of possible joint bunkering pilot runs with identified shipping lines between ports.
In June 2021, Singapore and Australia announced the formation of a “Low-Emissions Maritime and Shipping Initiative”. As part of the initiative, Australia and Singapore have each committed $10 million to support demonstrations and commercial scale projects, through delivery partners for low emission fuels and technologies for international maritime and port operations.
Related: Singapore: MPA maritime decarbonisation blueprint sets target for bunkering sector
Related: MPA and partners establish Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Related: DNV selected to lead ‘pioneering’ ammonia bunkering safety study in Singapore
Related: SIBCON 2020: Singapore enters memorandum of cooperation on future fuels port network
Photo credit and source: Maritime Singapore Decarbonisation Blueprint: Working Towards 2050
Published: 11 March, 2022
Methanol
CMA CGM, SIPG and Shanghai Electric Group join forces on green methanol bunkering
Companies signed a long term supply cooperation deal to develop a fully integrated green methanol value chain, which is expected to propel Shanghai into a regional green methanol bunkering hub.
French shipping giant CMA CGM on Friday (21 March) said it has signed a green methanol long term supply cooperation agreement with SIPG Energy and Shanghai Electric Group on 20 March to develop a fully integrated green methanol value chain.
The agreement is expected to accelerate Shanghai Port's development into a regional green methanol bunkering hub, securing its first-mover advantage in the low-carbon transformation of shipping and further consolidating Shanghai's leadership in global maritime trade.
“This collaboration underscores CMA CGM's leadership in maritime decarbonisation and strengthens our partnership with major Chinese partners,” the company said.
Under the agreement, Shanghai Electric Group will provide mid-to-long-term green methanol fuel supply for CMA CGM. In partnership with SIPG, green methanol will be transported via land-sea combined logistics from Shanghai Electric’s production base in Taonan to Shanghai Port, the world's largest container port.
Shanghai Electric said the agreement will form a complete “production-transportation-bunkering” chain. The company further elaborated that its Taonan project is an important foundation for it in the field of hydrogen-based green fuels.
Firmly committed to the energy transition in shipping and its use of alternative marine fuels, CMA CGM said it has set a Net Zero-Carbon target for 2050.
Last month, CMA CGM IRON, the group's first dual-fuel methanol made its maiden call in Singapore. With a container capacity of 13,000 TEUs, it is the first in a series of 12 new dual-fuel methanol vessels for CMA CGM.
“At CMA CGM, we address the challenges related to the availability of clean fuels. Our partnership strategy drives us to implement innovative and sustainable solutions to achieve our energy transition objectives,” said Farid Trad, Vice President of Bunkering & Energy Transition of CMA CGM Group.
“Our landmark collaboration with SIPG and Shanghai Electric Group marks a new milestone and shows our commitment to Net Zero-Carbon by 2050.”
Photo credit: CMA CGM
Published: 21 March, 2025
Events
China: Speaker lineup revealed for Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025
Key issues that will be discussed at event include low-carbon ship construction and transformation, latest green technology equipment, alternative marine fuel selections and supply status.
Alternative Fuels
Molgas commences bio-LNG bunkering operations in Port of Zeebrugge
First deliveries of bio-LNG started in January, with multiple operations running smoothly through its logistics network and more deliveries are expected in the coming weeks, says Molgas.
OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS
CMA CGM, SIPG and Shanghai Electric Group join forces on green methanol bunkering
Singapore-based Hafnia and Studio 30 50 to launch digital bunker platform FuelSure
China: Speaker lineup revealed for Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025
Molgas commences bio-LNG bunkering operations in Port of Zeebrugge
Raízen to cease bunkering operations at Rio Grande, Salvador, and Itaqui in Brazil
DNV, HD KSOE and HD Hydrogen to develop CO2 capture technology for marine fuel cells
ENGINE: Americas Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (20 Mar 2025)
NW Corporation strengthens Port Klang operations with newly acquired bunker tankers
Ofiniti acquires Singapore-based Angsana Technology to advance digital bunkering solutions
Singapore releases new standard on methanol bunkering, gears up for multi-fuel future
Singapore-based PIL names fourth 14,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel boxship in China
Dutch crew members plead guilty over their role in major 2024 Singapore bunker spill
Verde Marine Energy begins VLSFO bunker fuel supply operations in ARA
EPS, DongHwa Entec partner on compressor installation for new LNG-fuelled boxship
-
Business2 weeks agoNW Corporation strengthens Port Klang operations with newly acquired bunker tankers
-
Digital platform1 week agoOfiniti acquires Singapore-based Angsana Technology to advance digital bunkering solutions
-
Methanol2 weeks agoSingapore releases new standard on methanol bunkering, gears up for multi-fuel future
-
Newbuilding2 weeks agoSingapore-based PIL names fourth 14,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel boxship in China
-
Legal1 week agoDutch crew members plead guilty over their role in major 2024 Singapore bunker spill
-
VLSFO1 week agoVerde Marine Energy begins VLSFO bunker fuel supply operations in ARA
-
Alternative Fuels1 week agoEPS, DongHwa Entec partner on compressor installation for new LNG-fuelled boxship
-
Bunker Fuel1 week agoChina: Zhejiang FTZ sets new record of largest single bunkering volume of bonded fuel oil