Bunker Fuel

Singapore-based Synergy Asia Bunkering expands operations to Cambodia with representative office

SAB keen to capture bunker supply volume at Port Autonome de Sihanoukville when Kra Canal is ready, Steven Low, Head of Trading, told Manifold Times.

Published

1 year ago

January 2, 2024

Admin

Singapore-based Synergy Asia Bunkering expands operations to Cambodia with representative office

Singapore-based Synergy Asia Bunkering recently expanded regional operations with a representative office at Port Autonome de Sihanoukville (PAS) of Cambodia, learned bunkering publication Manifold Times.

The facility established for marketing SAB’s local services is supported by two staff members, shared Steven Low, Head of Trading, who added the company would personally fly in staff to supervise marine refuelling operations as well.

When ready, SAB will be offering a wide range of services including bunkers, fresh water, deslopping, provisions, agency and lubricants, from PAS in Cambodia.

“The Thai government recently revived the Kra Canal project by proposing a landbridge and as a physical supplier in South Vietnam it would be a natural step to expand operations to Cambodia as it is our neighbour,” explained Mr Low, who was keen to capture the bunker supply volume when the canal is ready.

“Bunker supply information for the Cambodia market is limited. As a Singapore-based bunkering firm, we hope to bring in supply standards at the republic for capturing trust from shipowners/operators for marine fuel supply in Cambodia, similar to what we are already doing in Vietnam.”

According to Mr Low, marine fuel material in Cambodia is mainly imported from Asia and duty paid; SAB is currently exploring with relevant officials on potential value-added tax (VAT) issues for current bunkering operations at PAS.

“Amongst challenges to operate a bunker supply company in Cambodia include issues with bureaucracy, taxation, operational knowhow and relevant permit application from local port authorities – all of which we have explored and gain valuable insight in 2023.”

He highlighted SAB has, however, been operating at the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville since [2020] where it mainly supplies bunker fuel to naval vessels and cruise lines, together with small marine gas oil (MGO) parcels to passing containerships.

Mr Low was honoured to share SAB was the bunkering firm who stepped in to supply marine fuel to MV Westerdam – a cruise ship with 2,257 people onboard which spent two weeks at sea looking for a port at which to dock during the covid period of June 2020 – at Sihanoukville port.

SAB currently offers high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) and low sulphur MGO by truck at Sihanoukville port, with plans for deliveries via barge in the works to support future PAS activities.

Photo credit: Synergy Asia Bunkering
Published: 2 January 2024

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Japan: NYK to conduct full-scale bio bunker fuel trials for long term use in 2024

Biofuel

NYK to launch Japan’s first antioxidant for biodiesel bunker fuel in August

When added to biofuel, BioxiGuard slows progression of oxidative degradation and helps deter issues such as metal corrosion, strainer blockage, and cleaning-system fouling often triggered by oxidised fuel.

Published

15 hours ago

May 22, 2025

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Japan’s first antioxidant by NYK for biodiesel bunker fuel set to release in August

Nippon Yuka Kogyo (Nippon Yuka), an NYK Group company specialising in chemical R&D as well as the manufacture and sale of chemical products, on Wednesday (21 May) announced the upcoming release of BioxiGuard, the Japan’s first antioxidant specially developed for marine biodiesel, from 10 August.

NYK said compared with conventional petroleum-based fuels, biofuel contains a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, making it more susceptible to oxidative degradation. Once oxidised, the biofuel can produce acidic substances and sludge, adversely affecting vessel fuel efficiency by reducing the fuel’s calorific value.

Developed by Nippon Yuka based on property analyses of the biofuel used in NYK-operated vessels, BioxiGuard is specifically formulated to enhance the oxidation stability of biodiesel. When added to biofuel, BioxiGuard slows the progression of oxidative degradation and helps deter issues such as metal corrosion, strainer blockage, and cleaning-system fouling often triggered by oxidised fuel.

According to laboratory tests conducted by Nippon Yuka researchers, the addition of BioxiGuard at a concentration of 1 part per 500 resulted in an approximate 50% reduction in the rate of biofuel degradation compared to untreated biofuel.

This significant improvement underscores the potential for vessel operators to not only extend the useful life of biofuel on board but also maintain more stable and cost-effective vessel operations.

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 22 May, 2025

Newbuilding

Höegh Autoliners latest LNG dual-fuel PCTC en route to Shanghai for bunkering

The 9,100 CEU “Höegh Sunrise”, currently sailing the seas, is on its way to Shanghai for bunkering before sailing to Japan and then towards Europe.

Published

16 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Admin

Höegh Autoliners latest LNG dual-fuel PCTC en route to Shanghai for bunkering

Höegh Autoliners on Tuesday (20 May) said its latest liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel pure car and truck carrier has departed China Merchants Heavy Industry’s yard, ready to commence its commercial operations.

The 9,100 CEU Höegh Sunrise, currently sailing the seas, is on its way to Shanghai for bunkering before sailing to Japan and then towards Europe.

The PCTC is the fifth in a series of 12 Aurora Class vessels built by the shipyard in China. The first eight Auroras are or will be equipped with engines primed to run on LNG and low-sulphur oil.

These vessels can be converted to run on ammonia later. By 2027, Höegh Autoliners said the four last vessels of the series will be able to run net zero on ammonia directly from the yard when delivered.

Manifold Times previously reported the naming ceremony of Höegh Autoliner’s fourth Aurora Class newbuild, Höegh Sunlight, at Taicang Haitong Auto Terminal.

Photo credit: Höegh Autoliners
Published: 22 May, 2025

Alternative Fuels

UECC: Liquefied biomethane bunker fuel to enable compliance surplus under FuelEU

Company says bunkering liquefied biomethane will give it a significant compliance surplus under FuelEU that can be monetised through the regulation’s pooling mechanism.

Published

16 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Admin

UECC: Liquefied biomethane bunker fuel to enable compliance surplus under FuelEU

United European Car Carriers (UECC) on Monday (19 May) said bunkering liquefied biomethane (LBM), also known as bio-LNG, will give it a significant compliance surplus under FuelEU that can be monetised through the regulation’s pooling mechanism.

UECC’s Senior Manager of Business Planning & Sustainability, Masanori Nagashima, said bio-LNG is now seen by the company as the key fuel to achieve its target of a 45% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030 versus a 2014 baseline and net zero by 2040 – ahead of the 2050 deadline set by both the IMO and EU.

The marine fuel is being bunkered on UECC’s dual and multi-fuel LNG PCTCs – three of which have battery hybrid capability – under Sail for Change that was launched by UECC last year and currently has participation by automotive giants including Toyota, Ford and JLR.

The company also has on order two multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid newbuild PCTCs due for delivery in 2028 that could be enlisted into the programme.

The overall carbon intensity of the UECC fleet, using the same gCO2e/MJ (grams of CO2 equivalent per megajoule) metric as FuelEU, is calculated at 68 gCO2e/MJ to achieve an interim target of a 25% carbon intensity reduction in 2025, though the company is expected to achieve 57 gCO2e/MJ this year based on its supply plan, according to Nagashima.

This is significantly below the current FuelEU threshold of 89.3 gCO2e/MJ – a 2% reduction from the baseline of 91.16 gCO2e/MJ – and still lower than the threshold of 77.9 gCO2e/MJ from 2035 that is a 14.5% reduction versus the baseline figure.

“The low carbon intensity of our fleet means all of our vessels are expected to gain a C rating or above with the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII)” Nagashima explained.

“It also gives us a significant compliance surplus under FuelEU that can be monetised through the regulation’s pooling mechanism, allowing a great commercial opportunity to offset regulatory costs for customers and eliminate FuelEU surcharges.”

“UECC will continue to accelerate its progress in improving decarbonisation of its fleet by further optimising our fuel mix strategy going forward to incorporate more high-impact fuels as these become viable.”

Photo credit: Titan Clean Fuels
Published: 22 May, 2025