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Priorities of maritime Singapore have ‘remained on-track’ despite COVID-19, says MPA

Digitalisation, Decarbonisation, and Disruption fronts have even bore fruit for the republic despite Covid-19, says MPA Chief Executive Quah Ley Hoon.
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Three priorities of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) – Digitalisation, Decarbonisation, and Disruption – have remained on track and even bore fruit for the republic despite Covid-19, says its Chief Executive.

Quah Ley Hoon was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Asia Pacific Maritime 2022 event as a Guest-of-Honour on Wednesday (16 March) when she said Singapore will continue to do its best as a catch-up port while carrying out marine services, including bunkering and crew change at its facilities.

Digitalisation

digitalPORT@SGTM, a one-stop digital port clearance platform created by MPA, was fortunately launched before the onset of the pandemic, notes Quah.

“It allowed us to move towards paperless port clearance, and it also saved an estimated 100,000 man-hours for the industry each year,” she states.

“We will continue to push ahead by with Phase 2, which has a Just-in-Time element for better coordination – vessels would be able to line up marine services before arriving at our port.

“What is more heartening is that even during this pandemic, our small and medium enterprises pushed ahead with their digitalisation transformation efforts.”

Decarbonisation

Quah, meanwhile, highlighted the republic making “promising progress” in the area of decarbonisation.

“We are moving towards a multi-fuel bunkering transition, which means that Singapore, as a bunkering hub, needs to cater to the different types of fuels in the next few years,” she shared.

“For LNG, we have conducted 24 ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operations in Singapore in 2021, and have also commenced biofuel bunkering trials.

“We are supporting different consortiums on Ammonia, and just welcomed a hydrogen-powered and zero-emission yacht in our waters last Thursday.”

Quah highlighted Minister for Transport Mr S Iswaran recently launching the Maritime Singapore Decarbonisation Blueprint: Working Towards 2050. The roadmap follows months of consultation with the industry, and arose from the recommendations of the International Advisory Panel.

The Blueprint laid out ambitious targets and long-term strategies for maritime decarbonisation which will be achieved through efforts such as R&D, future fuel adoption, and building partnerships in areas such as green finance.

Disruption

The port authority is looking to implementing technology and automation to support future maritime operations, says Quah.

“We are also making progress on e-documentation such as e-bills of lading (eBL) and electronic bunker delivery note,” she notes.

“eBLs are being trialled, with the potential to provide approximately US$4 billion in annual savings if half of the container shipping industry adopts it. We hope to scale up adoption and encourage more of you to go digital.”

Related: DNV selected to lead ‘pioneering’ ammonia bunkering safety study in Singapore
Related: MPA blueprint prepares marine fuels sector for multi-fuel bunkering transition
Related: MPA: Singapore bunker tanker fleet expected to run on net zero fuels by 2050
Related: Singapore: MPA maritime decarbonisation blueprint sets target for bunkering sector

 

Photo credit: RX Global (Reed Exhibitions)
Published: 17 March, 2022

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Biofuel

GREENMARINE and Vertoro to accelerate adoption of lignin-alcohol as marine fuel

Like fossil oil, liquid lignin can be used as a platform for fuel, chemical and material applications.
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July 11, 2025

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Methanol marine fuels consultancy GREENMARINE and Vertoro, a Maersk-backed Dutch start-up focused on developing liquid lignin technology which can be used as a bunker fuel, has signed an agreement to jointly accelerate the market validation and commercial roll-out of lignin-alcohol as sustainable marine fuels.

“We at GREENMARINE Group are excited to join forces with Vertoro to bring their revolutionary lignin alcohol blend fuel to market,” said Fredrik Stubner, founder and CEO of GREENMARINE Group.

“This breakthrough technology redefines sustainable maritime fuels, delivering environmental benefits and cost efficiencies, paving the way for a greener, more competitive shipping industry.”

Dr. Michael Boot Boot, co-founder & co-CEO Vertoro, replied, “GREENMARINE Group has an excellent track record as a match maker for green fuel producers with engine manufacturers and shipping companies, opening many doors for us on both the fuel validation and offtake side.”

Vertoro, founded in 2017, produces liquid lignin exclusively from sustainably sourced forestry and agricultural residues by means of a patented thermochemical process. Like fossil oil, liquid lignin can be used as a platform for fuel, chemical and material applications.

Related: Maersk invests in Dutch start-up Vertoro to develop green lignin marine fuels

 

Photo credit: CHUTTERSNAP from Unsplash
Published: 11 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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July 9, 2025

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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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Newbuilding

BHP awards charter contracts for two ammonia dual-fuelled bulk carriers

BHP continues to work with the maritime industry to develop an ammonia bunkering plan for the two vessels when they are delivered from 2028.

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July 9, 2025

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Global resources company BHP on Wednesday (2 July) signed contracts with COSCO Shipping Bulk Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of COSCO shipping Group (COSCO Shipping) for the charter of two ammonia dual-fuelled Newcastlemax bulk carriers.

The new vessels to be built under this arrangement will be two of only a handful of vessels in the world capable of using ammonia as a bunker fuel.

The two vessels, expected to be delivered from 2028, will primarily transport iron ore from Western Australia to Northeast Asia.

When run on lower or low to zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ammonia, these vessels will be capable of reducing GHG emissions by at least 50% and up to 95% on a per voyage basis compared to a conventionally fuelled voyage.

The five-year time charter contracts are expected to contribute towards a reduction in the GHG emissions intensity of BHP chartered shipping.

BHP continues to work with the maritime industry to develop an ammonia bunkering plan – the process of fuelling ships with ammonia – for the two vessels when they are delivered from 2028.

Sourcing lower and low to zero GHG emissions ammonia is subject to an ongoing tender process.

 

Photo credit: BHP
Published: 9 July 2025

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