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PIER71 event showcases Singapore maritime digitalisation, decarbonisation solution startups

Submissions for the Smart Port Challenge Grand Finals 2023 were related to solutions supporting maritime clean fuels operations, carbon-value chain, electrification, and green maritime supply chain.

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Pier71 event showcases Singapore maritime digitalisation, decarbonisation solution startups

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and National University of Singapore (NUS) commemorated the 5th anniversary of PIER71 at the inaugural PIER71 Great Circle 2023 event held on Tuesday (21 November) at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The event comprised the 7th edition of the Smart Port Challenge Grand Finals, a MarineTech Start-up Innovation Showcase, and the inaugural PIER71 Ascend. PIER71 Great Circle 2023 event draws inspiration from the practice of great-circle navigation and reflects the efforts by PIER71 to help start-ups get on the most direct route to deliver maritime innovation.

Since its establishment in 2018, PIER71 has nurtured close to 110 MarineTech start-ups with the support of 62 corporate partners. MPA’s Maritime Innovation and Technology (MINT) Fund has supported over 50 start-up projects, with 26 solutions already deployed by the industry. These start-ups have also raised over SGD65 million in investments from venture capital (VC) partners to support their expansion. Five foreign MarineTech start-ups have also expanded to Singapore, and four start-ups including three from Singapore have been acquired by corporates.

MPA and NUS have expanded PIER71 initiative in 2023 to connect shortlisted start- ups to overseas markets, government stakeholders, and prospective maritime customers through the PIER71 Ascend 12-month programme. The first cohort comprising four start- ups was unveiled at the event and they will be working closely with PIER71 to sharpen their growth strategy in 14 overseas markets which they are operating in.

Winners of the Smart Port Challenge Grand Finals 2023

17 finalists were shortlisted from a pool of 150 applications from 30 countries, and the top three winners were selected by a judging panel in the Smart Port Challenge Grand Finals 2023. 

The countries include Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Uruguay.

Measure.AI, CRecTech, and Rux Energy emerged as the first, second, and third winners respectively, and MicroSec received a Special Mention by the judges. The evaluation criteria was based on quality of the innovation, business model, market potential, industry relevance, and the team’s capability including tech development and design skills.

Measure.AI from Singapore makes novel, low-cost, reusable and highly sensitive real-time gas sensors. It uses a patented novel method of making various unique of gas sensors. Their sensors are non-specific and the gases or gas mixtures are identified and quantified based the unique changes in the electrical properties of an array of sensors upon gas exposure.

CRecTech from Singapore developed a novel catalyst coating for biogas reforming that greatly enhances its resistance against carbon and CO2 poisoning, and is capable of breaking down and utilising CO2 in biogas. This enables a revolutionary one-step biogas reforming process, converting CO2-rich biogas into low-carbon hydrogen and syngas for green methanol in a subsequent process.

Rux Energy is an Australian advanced materials startup aiming to double the volumetric efficiency and halve the cost of dispatchable hydrogen storage for bulk distribution, refuelling, heavy mobility and aviation. Their goal is to be directly responsible for 50 million tonnes of CO2 abatement, each year, every year, by 2030.

One of the grand finalists from Singapore, 3Y Energy highlighted its innovative system that integrates with current engines, a one-stop solution for integrating alternative bunker fuels (specifically ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen) into existing marine or heavy-duty engines. The modular design of the system incorporates fuel supply, combustion control and online monitoring. The design also ensures optimal combustion without any output degradation. Users can flexibly adjust the CO2 reduction range to meet regulatory standards, achieving up to 90% reduction with ammonia and a complete 100% with hydrogen. 3Y Energy’s solution is estimated to be 10%-20% of a conventional engine of similar capacity.

Close to 50% of the submissions received were related to maritime digitalisation, and 40% were related to maritime decarbonisation. These include solutions to support maritime clean fuels operations, carbon-value chain, electrification, and green maritime supply chain. The emphasis on digitalisation and decarbonisation reflects the increasing attention by the industry and urgency to accelerate the green energy transition. 

The 18 finalists have also completed PIER71 Accelerate, an eight-week market validation and customer discovery programme and are now eligible to apply for a grant of up to S$100,000 from MPA to embark on pilot projects with maritime companies.

Close to 50% of the submissions received were related to maritime digitalisation, and 40% were related to maritime decarbonisation. 

These include solutions to support maritime clean fuels operations, carbon-value chain, electrification, and green maritime supply chain. The emphasis on digitalisation and decarbonisation reflects the increasing attention by the industry and urgency to accelerate the green energy transition. 

The 17 finalists have also completed PIER71 Accelerate, an eight-week market validation and customer discovery programme and are now eligible to apply for a grant of up to S$100,000 from MPA to embark on pilot projects with maritime companies.

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, MPA, said, “Technology and innovation will play a pivotal role as the global shipping community and Maritime Singapore accelerates digitalisation and decarbonisation efforts. The PIER71 programme partnership among MPA, NUS, and industry collaborators has helped to nurture Singapore’s maritime innovation ecosystem, incorporating clean alternative fuels and green maritime technologies. As we commemorate PIER71 5th anniversary, we will also strengthen PIER71’s international linkages, expand the search for innovative solutions beyond our shores, and leverage the Port of Singapore as a Living Lab to pilot new ideas”.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 22 November, 2023

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Incident

Singapore: Bunker spill leads to checks on all fuel pipes at other Police Coast Guard bases

Police said fuel pipes at the other three bases at Loyang, Lim Chu Kang and Gul are also being checked with inspections expected to be wrapped up on 10 February.

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The recent oil leak incident at Police Coast Guard (PCG) Brani Regional Base has prompted checks on all fuel pipes at PCG’s three other bases for leaks, according to The Straits Times on Monday (10 February). 

Responding to queries from the local news provider, the police said all fuel pipes at Brani Regional Base were inspected on 6 February while fuel pipes at the other three bases at Loyang, Lim Chu Kang and Gul are also being checked with inspections expected to be wrapped up on 10 February. 

The police also said that a preliminary assessment on the cause of the leak might be due to micro cracks in a damaged fuel pipe as a result of repeated twisting of the pipe due to the movement of the pontoons caused by tidal changes.

On 6 February, Singapore authorities confirmed that a diesel oil leak was discovered at the Brani Regional Base on 5 February, at around 11.40am (Singapore Time). 

According to a joint statement by Singapore Police Force, Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and National Environment Agency (NEA), about 23 metric tonnes had leaked from a damaged shore fuel hose used to refuel patrol craft at Selat Sengkir. 

The leak was eventually isolated at about 3.40pm and there were no oil slicks observed.

Related: Singapore confirms bunker spill from damaged shore fuel hose at Brani Regional Base

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 11 February, 2025

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Biofuel

NYK conducts first Japan bio bunker fuel trial on coal carrier for domestic power utility firm

Firm said it has started a biofuel test run on Noshiro Maru, operated by Tohoku Electric Power, marking the first time in Japan that a coal carrier has been used to test biofuel for a domestic power utility firm.

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NYK conducts first Japan bio bunker fuel trial on coal carrier for domestic power utility firm

Japanese shipping firm NYK on Monday (10 February) said it has started a biofuel test run on its coal carrier Noshiro Maru, which is operated by Tohoku Electric Power on 9 February.

This is the first time in Japan that a coal carrier has been used to test biofuel for a domestic power utility company. Mitsubishi Corporation Energy in the Keihin area facilitated the supply of biofuel for the vessel.

Biofuels are made from organic resources (biomass) of biological origin, such as agricultural residues and waste cooking oil, and are considered to produce virtually zero carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions when combusted.

“Since they can be used in heavy-oil-powered ship engines, which are common on large merchant ships, biofuels are considered a key means of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transition period from heavy oil to zero-emission fuels,” NYK said. 

“Using biofuel to reduce GHG emissions during sea navigation also contributes to reducing Scope 3 GHG emissions generated by transporting customers’ cargo.”

NYK added it will continue to focus on introducing biofuels and other next-generation fuels, and will contribute to reducing GHG emissions in our customers' supply chains while promoting decarbonisation in marine transport.

 

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 11 February, 2025

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HSFO

Hambantota International Port expands bunkering services with new HSFO facilities

HSFO facility features a 6,000 cubic meter storage capacity, split across two dedicated tanks in the port’s oil tank farm, along with a specialised pumping system capable of transferring 400 mt per hour.

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Hambantota International Port expands bunkering with new HSFO facilities

Hambantota International Port (HIP) on Monday (10 February) said it marked a significant milestone by successfully integrating High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO) into its range of bunkering services. 

It now offers a complete suite of marine fuels, including Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) and Marine Gas Oil (MGO/MDO). This development strengthens Sri Lanka’s position in the global maritime landscape, allowing HIP to cater to a broader range of vessels navigating one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

“We are pleased to announce the full operational launch of our HSFO bunkering facility, which marks a significant step in realising our vision of becoming a leading global maritime hub,” said Wilson Qu, CEO of Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG). 

“With our expanding range of services and growing reputation for operational excellence, HIP is positioning as a crucial player in the future of maritime trade and fuel supply. This expansion not only broadens the services we offer but also strengthens Sri Lanka’s position as a critical maritime player in the Indian Ocean region.”

The newly operational HSFO facility features a 6,000 cubic meter storage capacity, split across two dedicated tanks in the port’s oil tank farm, along with a specialised pumping system capable of transferring 400 metric tonnes (mt) per hour. A streamlined pipeline links the tanks directly to HIP’s oil jetties, ensuring fast, efficient fuel delivery. 

The facility has advanced monitoring and remote-control systems, guaranteeing precise, safe operations.  It will provide significant convenience to ship owners with vessels using scrubbers, who opt for HFSO for its cost-effective, advanced scrubbing systems while meeting IMO 2020 sulfur cap regulations.

The port which now houses Sri Lanka’s first shore-based storage tank farm with a dedicated facility for HSFO bunkering, marked the achievement with the successful discharge of 5,000 mt of HSFO and 20,000 mt of VLSFO from the vessel Grand Ace 10, from the 30 January to 1 February. 

The operation unveiled HIP's new HSFO bunkering infrastructure, setting the stage for increased fuel diversity in the region.

HIP’s strategic location along one of the busiest maritime routes in the world, provides vessels with a vital refueling stop as they traverse the shipping lanes between Europe and Asia. The addition of HSFO to HIP's fuel offering allows the port to cater to a broader spectrum of vessels, from large tankers to smaller cargo ships, that require different grades of fuel for their operations.

The port’s collaboration with Sinopec, a global leader in energy, ensures the delivery of reliable marine fuels. 

 

Photo credit: Hambantota International Port
Published: 11 February, 2025

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