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MPA: Bunker suppliers must provide Proof of Sustainability with BDN for biofuel deliveries

MPA licensed bunker suppliers, at the request of customers or owner of receiving vessel, must provide a POS or similar documentation from a recognised scheme together with the Bunker Delivery Note.

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Monday (16 October) issued Port Marine Circular No. 11 of 2023 informing MPA licensed bunker suppliers to provide a Proof of Sustainability or similar documentation together with the Bunker Delivery Note for biofuel bunker deliveries:

ISSUANCE OF A PROOF OF SUSTAINABILITY WITH THE BUNKER DELIVERY NOTE FOR BIO-FUEL DELIVERIES TO SHIPS ENGAGED IN INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING IN THE PORT OF SINGAPORE

This circular serves to inform all bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators licensed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on the requirements to issue a Proof of Sustainability (POS) from a recognised scheme together with the Bunker Delivery Note when biofuel is supplied to vessels in the Port of Singapore.

This circular should be read in conjunction with PMC 21 of 2022 – Supply of biofuel within the Port of Singapore to vessels, where amongst other requirements, bunker suppliers had been encouraged to supply International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified biofuel.

The 80th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved the “Interim guidance on the use biofuels under regulations 26, 27 and 28 of MARPOL Annex VI (IMO DCS and CII)”. This was promulgated via MEPC.1/Circ.905 for application from 01 October 2023. The circular is attached as Annex A.

Arising from MEPC.1/Circ.905, from 01 October 2023, MPA licensed bunker suppliers, at the request of their customers or the Master/owner of the receiving vessel, must provide a POS or similar documentation from a recognised scheme together with the Bunker Delivery Note (BDN).

When a POS or similar documentation is provided to the receiving vessel, the bunker supplier must also provide to MPA Standards and Investigation – Marine Fuel (SIMF) Department (i.e. [email protected]) a copy of such documentation. MPA will conduct random checks and contact the bunker suppliers for additional details as and when necessary.

This circular is for an interim period only, until a more comprehensive method is developed for international shipping to calculate a fuel’s Emission Conversion Factor reflecting the emissions based on the LCA Guidelines by the IMO. For the nationally determined contributions to emission reduction for the national emission reduction goals and the use of biofuels for harbourcraft where the greenhouse gas emissions are reported, the relevant factors used can be referenced to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.

For calculation of the CO2 Emission Conversion Factor (Cf) for international shipping, suppliers are to adopt the calculation methodology set out in MEPC.1/Circ.905.

Should you have any queries, please write to us at [email protected] or [email protected].

Note: The Annex A of the circular can be found here.

Related: Singapore: MPA develops framework to support biofuel bunker fuel deliveries
Related: Singapore bunker volume down by 4.3% on year but biofuel sales surpasses LNG
Related: Argus Media viewpoint: Biofuel bunkering in Singapore set to build
Related: Singapore: Golden Island begins fleetwide B30 biofuel bunker trial, starts tests with “Double Happiness”

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 16 October, 2023

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Biofuel

Singapore: Sea Oil Petroleum receives ISCC EU certification, mulls increasing product portfolio

‘Sea Oil seeks to do its part for climate change by giving options to support to our end users,’ says Steve Goh, Head of Trading.

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Singapore-based bunker trading firm Sea Oil Petroleum Pte Ltd (Sea Oil), a wholly owned subsidiary of Thailand-listed Sea Oil Public Company Limited, has received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) EU certification, learned Manifold Times.

ISCC EU is a certification scheme that verifies compliance with the sustainability criteria for biofuels and bioliquids within the European Union. It ensures that biomass and biofuels used in the EU meet specific environmental and social requirements, including greenhouse gas emission reductions and traceability throughout the supply chain.

The milestone, which took place on 22 May after two months of processing, was reflective of the company’s aim to expand its bunker fuel product offerings to clients seeking sustainable solutions, Steve Goh, Head of Trading at Sea Oil, told the bunkering publication.

“It is important for the bunkering sector to remain relevant, adapt, and play an active role in supporting shipping’s decarbonisation journey,” said Mr Goh while adding that, “this is in line with our group’s green initiative and sustainability drive.”

“As such, Sea Oil seeks to do its part for climate change by giving options to support to our end users.

“By achieving ISCC EU certification, Sea Oil will be in a better position to provide green marine fuel solutions to customers embarking on this journey towards net zero.”

Manifold Times in May reported Sea Oil welcoming a Senior Bunker Trader to its team.

The company started 2025 with an expanded team on both international and local fronts.

Sea Oil Petroleum may be reached at: [email protected]

Related: Singapore: Sea Oil Petroleum boosts Asia and international presence with new Senior Bunker Trader
Related: Singapore: Sea Oil Petroleum enters 2025 with international representatives, expanded team

 

Photo credit: Sea Oil Petroleum
Published: 10 July 2025

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Port & Regulatory

India: DGS seeking for comments for proposed national biofuel bunkering guidelines

Guidelines to align Indian practices with international conventions, contributing to a modern, resilient, and environmentally conscious maritime ecosystem.

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The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Mumbai on 3 July issued a notice inviting comments from stakeholders on the draft circular on Biofuel bunkering Guidelines.

“Increasing global emphasis on decarbonising the maritime sector has accelerated the adoption of biofuels as a sustainable alternative to conventional marine fuels,” it explained.

“Biofuels, particularly drop-in types such as Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME), Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEE), Straight Vegetable Oils (SVO), Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils (HVO), Bio-FT-diesel (bio-Fischer-Tropsch diesel) and Biomass-to-Liquid (BTL) fuels, offer considerable benefits by reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions without necessitating major modifications to existing shipboard fuel systems.

“However, the absence of standardised national guidelines for biofuel bunkering operations in India introduces potential challenges related to safety, fuel quality assurance, environmental protection, and operational consistency.”

The proposed circular aims to bridge these gaps by establishing a clear regulatory framework for permitting, operational protocols, safety management, documentation, environmental safeguards, training requirements, and enforcement mechanisms specific to biofuel bunkering.

By implementing these guidelines, the Directorate seeks to ensure safe and reliable bunkering practices, promote the use of cleaner fuels in alignment with India’s environmental commitments, and support the growth of sustainable maritime infrastructure.

The guidelines are crucial for facilitating the responsible uptake of biofuels in the shipping sector, aligning Indian practices with international conventions, contributing to a modern, resilient, and environmentally conscious maritime ecosystem.

The full draft circular on biofuel bunkering guidelines can be obtained from DGS’ website here. Comments and inputs should be sent to: [email protected] and CC to: [email protected] by 18/07/2025.

 

Photo credit: Directorate General of Shipping
Published: 10 July 2025

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Newbuilding

Singapore: Pinnacle Marine’s first B100 fuelled utility boat starts 1,000-hour research trial

Newbuilding operated by Prestige Ocean Pte Ltd will capture data on bunker fuel emissions, marine fuel behaviour, and performance.

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The 50th vessel constructed by local boat builder Pinnacle Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd, namely President 100, is starting 1,000 hours of real-time research trials in collaboration with several parties from Wednesday (9 July) onwards, it says.

Powered by B100 biodiesel, the newbuilding operated by Prestige Ocean Pte Ltd will capture data on bunker fuel emissions, marine fuel behaviour, and performance.

It will be participating in trials with Maritime Energy & Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence (MESD), Weichai Singapore, China Classification Society, Pacific International Lines (PTE) Ltd, Abo Shoten, Ltd. / 株式会社安保商店 , Abo Singapore, Wilmar International, Gulf Marine, Amspec Testing & Services, and AYK Engineering and Consulting.

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The President 100, Pinnacle Marine’s first full biodiesel utility boat, was launched on Tuesday in the presence of over 100 guests.

“Our latest vessel, President 100, merges legacy and future. Named after our first aluminium boat (“President”) and inspired by B100 biodiesel, it leads the charge for our next 50 vessels — many of which will embrace green technology,” stated Pinnacle Marine in a LinkedIn post.

“The launch was amazing, with strong turnout from across the maritime sector — authorities, shipowners, operators, agencies, chandlers, researchers, offshore engineers, and petrochemical suppliers.”

It added: “We’re excited to see how it paves the way for wider adoption of B100 biodiesel — a cleaner, sustainable path for Singapore’s harbour craft sector.”

 

Photo credit: Pinnacle Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Published: 9 July 2025

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