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SeaTech Solutions unveils design of Singapore’s first electric harbourcraft

Vessel will be supported by proposed charging infrastructure and equipped with battery packs which could be swapped for charging during ops.

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Singapore-based vessel design and engineering specialist SeaTech Solutions International (SeaTech), as project lead of “Goal Zero” consortium, on Monday (20 September) revealed the design of an electrically-powered lighter craft which is set to ply the waters of Singapore within the next three years. 

The fully electric lighter craft will be able to carry up to 12 passengers and 35 tonnes of cargo. It will be supported by a proposed charging infrastructure and equipped with battery packs which could be swapped for charging while the vessel carries out its operations uninterrupted.  

Last month, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) awarded funding to three consortiums – led by SeaTech, Keppel O&M and Sembcorp Marine for the study, testbed and deployment of their solutions across different types of harbour craft and operating profiles in Singapore port waters, through the electrification of a pilot use case proposed by each consortium.  

Singapore has 1,600 licensed diesel-powered harbour craft. The pilot project proposals will demonstrate how the electrification of specific use cases can be achieved on a sustainable and commercially viable basis while supporting Singapore’s wide-ranging initiatives to decarbonise the maritime sector. 

Ms Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive, MPA, said, “Electrification has the potential to accelerate the decarbonisation of our local harbour craft industry so we are pleased to support the joint industry-research consortium named Goal Zero led by Seatech Solutions Pte Ltd and its key commercial partner Yinson Green Technologies in their electric vessel project. This is one of the three consortiums comprising 30 enterprises and research institutions across the value chain that we are supporting under the Maritime GreenFuture Fund.

Mr. Prabjot Singh Chopra, Vice President, Technology of SeaTech shared, “The vision of the ‘Goal Zero’ consortium is to spur Singapore’s transformation into a zero-emissions port, hence our chosen consortium name. Our pilot project to design and build a fully electric lighter craft will also include a digital twin, electrification concepts, charging infrastructure, interoperability and digitalisation for adoption and deployment. This will enable an industry-wide contribution towards reducing carbon emissions as part of Singapore’s green port transformation.” 

Battery Charging Infrastructure

Key considerations for the consortium’s proposed battery charging infrastructure will include the potential to design alternative charging facilities for reducing reliance on fixed shore-based facilities. This will enable the lighter craft to maintain their operational flexibility and reduce the need for ineffective movement through congested port waters.

The evaluation of variable power ratings on a single charging station, featuring swappable batteries, floating energy supply with fast charging and a universal charging connection adaptor will provide innovative outcomes to enable charging of all types of electric vessels while improving commercial efficiencies.

“Goal Zero”

Mr. Chopra shared, “The members in this consortium are convinced that our harbourcraft electrification project has the potential to significantly contribute towards the goal of a carbon neutral footprint for Singapore. Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to do our part in helping our industry meet IMO’s greenhouse gas emission targets for 2030 and 2050 and enable the local harbour craft industry to meet Singapore’s 2030 enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) target. 

“We are very excited to testbed our prototype design that will revolutionise the operations of our harbourcraft sector and forever change the seascape of Singapore port waters,” he concluded.

“Goal Zero” consortium brings together the diverse expertise of 13 enterprises and research institutes.  Project Lead SeaTech takes on the roles of vessel designer and system integrator, while Yinson Green Technologies is responsible for overall programme management and commercialisation. 

Other consortium members include Sterling PBES Energy Solutions as battery technology partner, Rina Hong Kong Limited Singapore Branch as classification society, industry partners Batam Fast Ferry, Bernhard Schulte (Singapore) Holdings, DM Sea Logistics, Marina Offshore, Kenoil Marine Services, Lita Ocean Pte Ltd and Jurong Port and research institutes Singapore Institute of Technology and Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine Singapore.

Related: Singapore: MPA and SMI co-fund consortiums for fully electric harbourcraft

 

Photo credit: SeaTech Solutions International
Published: 20 September, 2021

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Milestone

China: Chimbusco and BJEC enter green methanol cooperation agreement

Document was signed between Ding Lihai, deputy general manager of Chimbusco, and Li Jianjun, deputy general manager of BJEC.

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Chimbusco x BJEC MT

China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co.,Ltd. (Chimbusco) and POWERCHINA Beijing Engineering Corporation Limited (BJEC) on Thursday (3 July) formally entered into a green methanol strategic cooperation framework agreement.

The document was signed between Ding Lihai, deputy general manager of Chimbusco, and Li Jianjun, deputy general manager of BJEC.

BJEC, a subsidiary of China Power Engineering Group, is experienced in the survey, design, construction and technology research and development of large-scale renewable energy projects.

Moving forward, the two parties said they will respectively focus on their core advantages and work together to promote the production, supply, storage and refuelling of green methanol as an energy source to help support the low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry.

Ding Lihai said: “The shipping industry is one of the important sources of global carbon emissions. Promoting low-carbon fuel is the key to the transformation of the industry. As the main force in the supply of bunker fuel, Chimbusco has been committed to expanding its clean fuel supply capacity. The cooperation with BJEC will integrate the advantages of green energy development and fuel supply, accelerate the large-scale application of green methanol, and meet the needs of shipping companies for clean fuel. We look forward to providing effective solutions for the green transformation of the shipping industry through the joint efforts of both parties.”

Li Jianjun said: “Implementing the ‘dual carbon’ goal is an important responsibility of enterprises. BJEC has accumulated strong technical strength in the field of green energy. This cooperation with Chimbusco will focus on the entire industrial chain of green methanol, from raw materials, production to supply, to provide clean and sustainable fuel solutions for the shipping industry. The complementary advantages of both parties will promote the rapid development of the green methanol industry and inject strong impetus into the low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry.”

 

Photo credit: China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co.,Ltd.
Published: 8 July 2025

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Milestone

Towngas and Royal Vopak collaborate to expand green methanol supply chain network

‘Towngas has recently completed a 6,000-tonne green methanol bunkering project, the largest in Asia,” said its Chief Operating Officer – Green Fuel and Chemicals.

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Towngas x Royal Vopak MT

Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) and Vopak China Management Co., Ltd. (Royal Vopak) on Tuesday (8 July) said both recently signed a strategic framework cooperation agreement to collaborate in areas such as green methanol production, storage, bunkering, and trading etc.

Focusing on the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Asia-Pacific markets, both parties are joining forces to expand an efficient green methanol supply chain network and support the shipping industry’s low-carbon transition.

The two parties will capitalise on their respective strengths to expand the supply network of green methanol.

Towngas employs proprietary technology to convert agricultural and forestry waste as well as scrap tyres into green methanol, and has obtained multiple international certifications and provides a sufficient supply of green methanol for maritime fuel bunkering.

Royal Vopak provides green methanol storage and terminal services with its comprehensive storage and terminal infrastructure and coastal port network advantages.

Together, the two parties will achieve efficient resource allocation and ship green methanol to the Greater Bay Area, East China, South China, and the broader Asia-Pacific markets, further expanding the green methanol supply chain network.

Towngas and Royal Vopak will further develop multiple areas of regional cooperation, including in the Greater Bay Area. By leveraging the strengths of the ports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, the partnership will focus on “production and storage synergy” as its core to strengthen cooperation around logistics and terminal facility construction, and to build an integrated green methanol storage and transportation network.

In East China, the two parties will centre their collaboration in Shanghai and Ningbo, two major international ports, to further strengthen cooperation in logistics storage and bunkering facility construction to meet the growing demand for green fuels at both ports.

In the Bohai Bay region, with Tianjin as the strategic hub, Towngas will transport green methanol produced at its northern China production base to Royal Vopak’s local storage tank farm, then achieve resource allocation through the Royal Vopak’s distribution network, supporting the supply of green methanol from northern China to the national and Asia-Pacific markets.

The two parties will also target key export markets, such as Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea, to accelerate overseas expansion and boost the market competitiveness of clean energy in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Towngas has recently completed a 6,000-tonne green methanol bunkering project, the largest in Asia,” said Sham Man-fai, Towngas Chief Operating Officer – Green Fuel and Chemicals.

“It was completed with the support of Royal Vopak’s Tianjin storage tank farm facilities, laying a solid foundation for this partnership.

“Towngas’s Inner Mongolia green methanol plant is set to increase its annual capacity from 100,000 tonnes to 150,000 tonnes by the end of this year, with plans to further expand to 300,000 tonnes by 2028. Together with Royal Vopak’s storage and terminal services infrastructure and coastal port network, the two parties will build a comprehensive green methanol supply chain network.”

 

Photo credit: Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
Published: 8 July 2025

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Biofuel

Chimbusco Pan Nation bio bunker fuel supply volume in H1 2025 surpasses 2024 total

Company supplied over 78,000 metric tonnes of marine biofuel in Hong Kong in the first six months of 2025, surpassing its total biofuel supply for the whole of 2024.

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Chimbusco Pan Nation bio bunker fuel supply volume in H1 2025 surpasses 2024 total

Hong Kong-based marine fuel oil supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) on Friday (4 July) said it has supplied over 78,000 metric tonnes (mt) of marine biofuel in Hong Kong in the first six months of 2025.

As such, the company said its biofuel volume for the first half of the year exceeded its total biofuel supply for the whole of 2024. 

“This record-breaking achievement highlights our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the maritime industry,” the company said in a social media post. 

“From January to June 2025, our team surpassed last year’s total, proving that dedication and excellence knows no limits—and exceeded 2024 by 80%!”

Manifold Times previously reported CPN setting a record for China’s largest B24 marine biofuel bunkering operation.

CPN delivered 6,300 mt of B24-VLSFO in Hong Kong to container ship XIN LOS ANGELES on 15 May. The supply exceeded CPN’s previous record of 5,500 mt delivered to the same ship in February 2025.

In April, the company also commenced supply of B30 biofuel in Hong Kong. 

Related: Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China’s largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation
Related: CPN achieves largest B24 bio bunker fuel delivery in Hong Kong and China
Related: Chimbusco Pan Nation launches B30 bio bunker fuel supply in Hong Hong

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical
Published: 7 July, 2025

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