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SIBCON 2022 Interview: Co-Convenors offer insights into Singapore’s upcoming Digital Bunker Document Standard

Eventual adoption of Digital Bunker Document Standard speeds up interoperability between stakeholders from both public and private sectors, learns Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.

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AARON Digital Bunker Document Standard

The following interview with Dennis Ho and Tan Sian Lip, both Co-Convenors for the Working Group on Electronic Documentation for Bunkering, is part of coverage for the upcoming Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON) 2022, where Manifold Times is an official media partner. 

Mr Ho, the Managing Director of ElbOil Singapore, and Mr Tan, the Founder & CEO of Halialabs, provide the bunkering publication with an update on the development of Singapore’s Digital Bunkering Document Standard standardisation.

MT: What is the new Digital Bunker Document Standard effort and how is it different from previous attempts? What is the status of this work?

The Digital Bunkering Document Standard standardisation project, an effort which started in October 2021, is a pro-competition and market-friendly initiative that specifies the characteristics of digital documents to be exchanged by participants within the bunkering ecosystem.  

This initiative aims to achieve several key outcomes:

  • The first is that the bunkering community will be able to create digital plug & play documents, usable by any IT solution or platform across the ecosystem without intermediaries.
  • The second is that structured data should flow together with these documents.  
  • The third is for the bunkering community’s graceful evolution wherein early adopters are not held back by slower ones and the slower ones are not forced to move in lock-step with their faster counterparts.

It is important to note the standardisation does not involve specifying or building IT systems. Market participants will, however, be encouraged to do so on their own as they adopt this new standard.

The standard working group is currently in the stage of validating working drafts of specifications to assess their fit towards specific business needs within the bunkering ecosystem.  

MT: What benefits does electronic documentation offer for the local bunkering sector? 

The advent of computers and digital communications have resulted in time spent waiting for couriers disappearing into history. However, friction points between the internal e-documentation systems of different stakeholders still exist.

Standardised e-documents seek to eliminate delays and errors from manual data-entry and the time and expense of adjusting one’s IT systems to accommodate counterparties’ different data-definitions.

Unlike physical documents, e-documents are less vulnerable to tampering as anyone who receives a copy will be able to independently verify their integrity.  

E-documentation also offers flexibility in business process design as any copy stored anywhere will be as (verifiably) reliable as an original copy. Knowing whether a document back-up is dependable will, consequently, also become simpler as there is no need to depend on the security of a document’s chain-of-custody.

Businesses’ ability to change IT service providers and business partners will increase because standardised e-documents will allow businesses to process documents and data coming from any organisation and system.

MT: Who are the parties driving the development of the Digital Bunker Document Standard?

This initiative is a national standard development effort under the Singapore Standards Council. The Technical Committee for Bunkering (Liquid Ambient Fuels) undertook the task of coming up with a standard specification for digitalisation in the bunker industry in 2021 and a working group (WG) was subsequently set up in 2021 with individuals drawn the bunkering industry.

The WG includes players from the various sectors: Bunker Suppliers, Traders, Oil Terminals, Vessel Owners/Operators, Surveyors, Laboratories, Business Associations (SCIC, SSA), meter vendors, government bodies (MPA, NMC, , IMDA) and relevant standards partners (Singapore Standards Council and IT Standards Committee); other allied supply-chain partner-groups included in this effort are, IT vendors, banks, and legal firms.  

MPA is actively encouraging key members of Singapore’s maritime community, especially those that have participated in Smart Nation initiatives, to participate in the standards setting process. This paves the way for the eventual adoption of this standard and speeds up the achievement of interoperability among bunkering participants from both the public and private sectors. 

MT: Bunkering seems to have remained mired in paper; what are the digitalisation challenges for this sector?

Previous digitalisation attempts have focused on interposing shared IT platforms between transacting parties. These initiatives also try to set standards (implicitly) by creating shared IT platforms. (i.e. because users of these platforms have to comply with their data/document standards.)

However, these platforms typically require transacting (pairs of) parties to be committed on the same platform – a form of consensus that is difficult to achieve. 

This is because the bunkering and shipping sectors operate in a decentralised dynamic and decentralised market that crosses multiple established business-industrial sectors, each with their own business traditions and processes, types of IT systems, and regulations. 

Add on the fact that a lot of bunkering is being carried out successfully without digital documents; this makes the power of status quo very difficult to overcome. Just how much more business is there to be gained through further digitalisation? Efficiency and risk arguments, while valid, tend to be much less compelling to businesses than those for revenue enhancement.

MT: Which parties are able to access electronic documentation after a bunkering operation? How is access decided and what is the purpose of each party having access to the data?

IT platforms that store documents (even momentarily) on behalf of multiple parties must implement data-access policies to maintain business confidentiality.

This standard, however, being a document-specification effort, does not envision, nor does it require, shared storage.  As such the issue of data-access policies does not arise as documents can be sent directly between businesses using a platform or simpler methods, e.g. email or whatsapp, or API calls.

Members of the Digital Bunkering Document Standard standardisation projectWG on Electronic doc process for bunkering 26 Oct 2021 1

WG on Electronic doc process for bunkering 26 Oct 2021 2

Other interviews conducted by Manifold Times for coverage of SIBCON 2022 are as follows:

Related: SIBCON 2022 Interview: MFMs relevant for custody transfer of future liquid-based marine fuels, confirms Endress+Hauser
RelatedSIBCON 2022 Interview: Singapore Bunkering TC Chairman shares republic’s direction on future marine fuels
RelatedSIBCON 2022 Interview: Clyde & Co discusses handling of bunker fuel quality disputes, alt fuels contracts

 

Photo credit: Singapore Technical Committee for Bunkering
Published: 3 October, 2022

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

4.46 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in January, a drop from 4.91 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024, according to MPA data.

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Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port decreased by 9.1% on year in January 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.46 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,461,710 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in January, a drop from 4.91 million mt (4,906,100 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in January (against on year) recorded respectively 1.66 million mt (zero from 1.66 million mt), 2.43 million mt (-15% from 2.86 million mt), 900 (+100% from zero), 3,100 mt (-77% from 13,500 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in January (against on year) recorded respectively 16,000 (+100% from zero), 92,000 mt (+103% from 45,300 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero).

LNG and methanol sales were posted respectively at 6,600 mt (-36.5% from 10,400) and zero (from zero).

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes by Manifold Times in 2024 can be found below:

Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 5.2% on year in December 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain by 4.6% on year in November 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain by 10.8% on year in October 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales continue to increase by 2.8% on year in September 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 7.2% on year in August 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 3.3% on year in July 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales gain 8.7% in June 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 6.7% in May 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 0.6% on year in April 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 6.4% on year in March 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 18.8% on year in February 2024
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 12.1% on year in January 2024

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 14 February, 2025

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore-based Straits Bio-LNG aims to deliver 250,000 mt of bio-LNG bunker fuel per year

Firm is currently in advanced stage of testing breaking down Empty Fruit Bunch through an established biological process with high enzyme concentration in its R&D facility in Malaysia to produce bio-LNG.

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Singapore-based Straits Bio-LNG aims to deliver 250,000 mt of bio-LNG bunker fuel per year

Straits Bio-LNG, a privately owned supplier of bio-LNG, is aiming to deliver 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) of bio-LNG per year in Singapore, according to SEA-LNG on Thursday (13 February).

The Singapore-based company, led by SK Tan as CEO, is doing so in response to the growing demand for LNG. LNG bunkering volumes have grown significantly in key bunkering hubs as more LNG-fuelled vessels have entered into operation. 

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) saw a dramatic four-fold increase in 2024 to almost 340,000 mt, SEA-LNG said in a statement announcing Straits Bio-LNG joining the coalition. 

Headquartered in Singapore, the company boasts a growing team led by SK Tan as CEO.  

Yiyong He, Director at Straits Bio-LNG, said: “We’re firmly convinced in the viability of the LNG pathway to decarbonise the shipping industry. With its very low carbon intensity and improving commerciality, liquified biomethane will be a critical piece of the puzzle for decarbonising the sector.”

“By joining SEA-LNG, we’re proud to be part of a collection of first movers making real strides to make the LNG pathway a tangible reality today.”

Straits Bio-LNG aims to reach its bio-LNG supply goal by using pioneering methods. It is currently in the advanced stage of testing breaking down Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) through an established biological process with high enzyme concentration in its R&D facility in Malaysia. 

Both Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) and EFB are sustainable biomass resources listed in the “List of Materials Eligible for ISCC EU Certification” and are therefore compliant with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

Peter Keller, chairman of SEA-LNG, added: “The Port of Singapore is the largest global bunkering hub. As seen in our View from the Bridge report, 2024 saw record growth in LNG and liquified biomethane bunkering, but we need more fuel to meet upcoming demand.”

“The use of liquefied biomethane as a marine fuel can reduce GHG emissions by up to 80% compared to marine diesel on a full well-to-wake basis. When produced from the anaerobic digestion of waste materials, such as manure, POME or EFB, methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere is captured, resulting in negative emissions of up to -190% compared with diesel."

An independent study by the Maritime Energy and Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence at Nanyang Technical University in Singapore found that pure bio-LNG could cover up to 13% of the total energy demand for shipping fuels in 2050, rising to 63% for a 20% blending ratio. 

SEA-LNG added MPA has firmly established itself as a leader in the LNG pathway, with suppliers such as Straits Bio-LNG reinforcing this position. 

Recently, the port launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to explore scalable solutions for sea-based LNG reloading to complement the existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and the supply of e/bio-methane as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore.

“Straits Bio-LNG will play a critical role in furthering the expansion of liquified biomethane at scale to meet the demand and continuing to showcase the LNG pathway as a practical and realistic solution for shipowners to decarbonise their operations, starting today,” it said. 

Related: Singapore: MPA launches EOI to expand LNG bunkering services amid growing demand

 

Photo credit: Straits Bio-LNG
Published: 14 February, 2025

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Winding up

Singapore: Final meetings scheduled for Gagarmayang Maritime and related companies

Other companies involved are Pramoni Maritime Pte Ltd, Wulansari Maritime Pte Ltd, Anjasmoro Maritime Pte Ltd and Indradi Maritime Pte Ltd.

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The final meetings of members of Gagarmayang Maritime Pte Ltd and related companies, has been scheduled to take place on 12 March, according to the company’s liquidators on a notice posted on Wednesday (12 February) on the Government Gazette.

The other companies involved in the matter are Pramoni Maritime Pte Ltd, Wulansari Maritime Pte Ltd, Anjasmoro Maritime Pte Ltd and Indradi Maritime Pte Ltd.

The meetings will be held by way of electronic means at 11am for the purpose of having an account laid before the members showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and the property of the company disposed of and of hearing any explanation that may be given by the liquidators.

The details of the liquidators are as follows:

Hamish Alexander Christie
c/o H.A. Christie & Co
20 Collyer Quay, #11-05
Singapore 049319

Related: Singapore: Wulansari Maritime Pte Ltd and related companies to be wound up voluntarily
Related: Creditors meeting for Anjasmoro Maritime and affiliated sister firms to be held in Oct

 

Photo credit: Benjamin-child
Published: 14 February, 2025

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