Alternative Fuels

Singapore: Biofuel start-up Green COP among top winners of Smart Port Challenge

GreenCOP focuses on producing second-generation biofuels with its patented technologies derived from non-food cellulosic biomass, according to its website.

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Admin

GotSurge, Green COP and Seadronix were announced as the first, second and third place winners of the Smart Port Challenge 2022 (SPC), according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

Green COP focuses on producing second-generation (2G) biofuels with its patented technologies derived from non-food cellulosic biomass, according to its website.

GotSurge aims to change supply chain management in the maritime sector which is still bogged down by paper-based documentation through its one-stop digital logistics platform, where customers and suppliers benefit from end-to-end visibility of all deliveries from a single dashboard.

MPA and the National University of Singapore (NUS) enhanced their support for start-ups under the PIER71™ (Port Innovation Ecosystem Reimagined @ BLOCK71) initiative by signing a Partnership Agreement with the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) during the SPC 2022 Grand Final.

Signed by Mr Teo Teng Seng, Chairman, Digital Transformation Committee, SSA, and Mr Ng Yi Han, Director (Innovation, Technology & Talent Department), MPA, and witnessed by Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport, the partnership agreement connects start-ups with SSA’s member companies to validate their solutions, gain test-bedding support, and leverage on networking opportunities with the maritime industry through the Start-Up Engagement Workgroup. This support channel will broaden the engagement efforts of PIER71™ by connecting start-ups with industry partners that have not participated in PIER71™’s programmes before.

The three winners of SPC 2022 were announced by Mr Chee at the event.

These winners were selected following an evaluation by a panel of judges on their proposed solution, business model, market potential, impact to the maritime industry and overall team capability. The winning teams walked away with cash prizes of SGD 10,000 (USD 7,257), SGD 5,000 and SGD 3,000 respectively.

The sixth edition of the SPC received 146 applications from start-ups around the world and 18 were shortlisted as finalists.

This year’s finalists have a strong focus on green technology, addressing the need for more sustainable energy and waste management. Solutions also include use of data and artificial intelligence to optimise safety and efficiency in vessel operations and supply chain management.

The finalists have completed PIER71TM Accelerate, a six-week market validation and customer discovery programme and are now eligible to apply for a grant of up to SGD 50,000 from MPA to embark on pilot projects with maritime companies.

Mr Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry and Transformation), MPA, said, “Strong collaboration is essential to supporting digital and decarbonisation transformation efforts in the maritime industry. The partnership with SSA will strengthen SPC’s ability to accelerate the scalability and adoption of future-ready solutions, and create efficient and sustainable supply chains as a dynamic international maritime centre”.

Brian Koh, Director, Corporate Partnerships, NUS Enterprise, said, “Beyond Smart Port Challenge, start-ups that continue to maintain an active engagement within the PIER71™ ecosystem have the advantage of gaining further exposure and industry traction. It is through this tightly-knit community of innovative thinkers that synergies can be discovered and become the driving force for transformation and new ideas. NUS provides a pivotal platform to incubate and nurture promising start-ups through our corporate partnerships and global network, allowing them to uncover new opportunities.”

Mr Teo Teng Seng, Chairman, Digital Transformation Committee, SSA, said, “Increasingly, the maritime industry looks to start-ups to help them increase their productivity and gain a competitive edge. Our start-up engagement workgroup aims to extend the expertise and resources within SSA to PIER71™ to enhance the development of the maritime start-up ecosystem. We believe that close linkages and partnership with the industry will create a ripe environment for innovation and look forward to upcoming interactions between our members and the SPC start-ups.

Eric Chean, Managing Director, GotSurge, said: “The Smart Port Challenge has connected GotSurge to potential partners and clients. In fact, the validation we received by participating in SPC allowed us to secure our first investor. With their financial support, together with the SPC prize money, we shall be accelerating the development of our suite of apps to efficiently manage the fast-moving nature of goods in the marine supplies sector. We are now finalizing the execution plan of our “Green Marine Supplies” supply-chain, including setting up a consolidation centre. This should be up and running by first half of 2023.”

Note: A recording of the SPC 2022 Grand Final, as well as information on the finalists, will be available at https://pier71.sg

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore / GreenCop
Published: 22 November, 2022

FuelEU

FincoEnergies launches pooling service for FuelEU Maritime compliance

FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable bio bunker fuels.

Published

8 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

GoodFuels biofuel supplier FincoEnergies on Wednesday (16 April) announced the launch of its FuelEU Pooling service, created to enable shipowners to meet FuelEU Maritime compliance in a cost-effective way.

FuelEU Maritime, effective from 1 January 2025, mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas intensity of energy used on board ships trading in the EU. For many operators, particularly those with limited access to low-carbon fuels, compliance can be both complex and costly.

Designed for shipowners, operators, charterers, and technical managers, FincoEnergies’ FuelEU Pooling service enables undercompliant vessels to meet their compliance targets by pooling with vessels running on GoodFuels sustainable biofuels, when these vessels are overcompliant and have ‘Surplus’ emission reduction available for allocation.

FincoEnergies also partnered with Lloyd’s Register (LR), who supported the development of the service. Their technical expertise has enabled shaping a solution that aligns with both regulatory requirements and FincoEnergies' established position as a biofuel supplier in the fuel supply chain.

“FuelEU Maritime represents one of the most important regulatory shifts for the shipping industry in decades,” said Alberto Perez, Global Head, Maritime Commercial Markets at LR. “By integrating technical expertise with strategic guidance, we ensure shipowners, operators, and suppliers not only comply with evolving emissions standards, but also proactively transform their operations, embracing new technologies and alternative fuels to ensure a sustainable and profitable future.”

“With a decade of experience in biofuel bunkers and carbon certificate trading in the voluntary market, we are excited to expand our creative and solution-oriented product portfolio with FuelEU Pooling,” said Johannes Schurmann, Commercial Director International Marine at FincoEnergies.

“Thanks to our physical presence in the supply chain, shipping companies looking for FuelEU surplus can confidently rely on us as a trusted partner in their decarbonisation journey.”

Through its role as Pool Organiser, FincoEnergies streamlines the entire pooling process – from performing biofuel bunkers and prefinancing Surplus, to Surplus allocation and pool verification. With cost-effective pricing, FuelEU Pooling provides shipping companies with a competitive alternative for changing their fuel mix themselves.

Photo credit: FincoEnergies
Published: 21 April, 2025

LNG Bunkering

Ballast Nedam Infra and Hakkers Waterbouw to build sea jetty for new LNG terminal

Jetty, which will be built as part of a LNG terminal in Germany, will be equipped to receive ships up to 267,000 m³; a smaller berth will be built for LNG bunker vessels and barges.

Published

8 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

Ballast Nedam Infra and Hakkers Waterbouw to build sea jetty for new LNG terminal

Netherlands-based Hakkers Waterbouw recently said it will be partnering with Ballast Nedam Infra for the construction of a large sea jetty as part of a new LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel, Germany.

The jetty will be equipped to receive ships up to 267,000 m³. In addition to the main berth, a smaller berth will also be built for LNG bunker vessels and barges. The jetty offers an unloading capacity of 14,000 m³ per hour and a loading capacity of 3,000 m³ per hour.

“The development of the LNG terminal and sea jetty fits in with the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions in Europe,” Hakkers said on its website.

“The project contributes to the European energy transition and to a safe, reliable energy supply for the future. With this collaboration, Ballast Nedam Infra and Hakkers Waterbouw are taking an important step in the realisation of sustainable infrastructure and further European collaboration.”

The order was placed on behalf of German LNG and will be executed as a subcontractor to main contractor CS Gas North. This is a collaboration between the Spanish companies Cobra and Sener.

Construction of the sea jetty will start in the summer of 2025 and is expected to be completed in early 2027.

Richard Majoor, director at Ballast Nedam Infra, said: “In combination with Hakkers and CS Gas North, we want to build a proactive and efficient collaboration.

“Ballast Nedam and Hakkers complement each other well: Ballast Nedam has extensive experience in project management for complex construction projects, while Hakkers, as a specialist in hydraulic engineering and steel construction, adds substantive value.”

Hein van Laar, commercial director at Hakkers Waterbouw, added: “As a specialist in heavy hydraulic engineering piling and steel construction, we are particularly proud to realise this project. We see that we can really add something in Germany with our expertise.”

Photo credit: Hakkers Waterbouw
Published: 21 April, 2025

Newbuilding

Chinese shipbuilder delivers CMA CGM’s Singapore-flagged LNG-powered boxship

CMA CGM welcomes “CMA CGM SEINE”, the first in a four-ship series of 24,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ships, by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, according to BV Marine & Offshore.

Published

4 days ago

April 17, 2025

Admin

Chinese shipbuilder delivers CMA CGM’s Singapore-flagged LNG-powered boxship

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) on Wednesday (16 April) announced the successful delivery of CMA CGM SEINE, a new 24,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ship, by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (HZSY).

This milestone marked the completion of the first vessel in a four-ship series, with BV providing classification and BV Solutions Marine & Offshore (BVS) providing advisory services.

It is CMA CGM’s first LNG-powered vessel flying the Singaporean flag with a capacity of 24,000 TEU.

It was reported that CMA CGM planned to expand its fleet and vessel tonnage, adding more vessels under the Singapore Registry of Ships. To support the transition to more sustainable fuels, CMA CGM said it would register and bunker alternative fuel vessels under the Singapore flag.

Xavier Leclercq, Vice President of CMA Ships, said: “Today’s delivery of the ‘CMA CGM SEINE’ featuring LNG as fuel at such a large scale, will remain a major landmark in the shipping world and embodies the engagement of the CMA CGM group toward an ambitious decarbonisation path, leading the way to our industry.”

Mr. Xiufeng ZHANG, Vice General Manger of Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard, said: “CMA CGM SEINE, as the lead ship of the four 24,000-TEU LNG dual-fuel powered container ships ordered by CMA Ships from our company, stands as a new-generation maritime ‘Green Giant’ and ‘super cargo hauler’.”

The vessel integrates a dual-fuel propulsion system supported by GTT Mark III membrane-type LNG bunker tanks, with a total capacity of 18,600 cubic meters, designed to enhance both environmental performance and operational efficiency.

Measuring 399.9 meters in length and 61.3 meters in beam, the vessel has a carrying capacity of 23,876 TEU and is equipped with a WinGD W12X92DF-2.0 dual-fuel main engine, incorporating the Intelligent Control by Exhaust Recycling (iCER) system.

This configuration significantly reduces methane emissions and enables compliance with IMO Tier III emission standards when operating in "Diesel + iCER mode".

BV worked closely with the engine manufacturer and the shipyard to test the parent engine and issued the Engine International Air Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) certificate, establishing a foundation for compliance across the series. The iCER system optimises energy efficiency, achieving an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) reduction well beyond the IMO’s Tier III standards.

To address the critical sloshing challenges in large-volume LNG bunker tanks, BVS performed direct computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The verified pressure data was provided to the design unit for structural strength checks, ensuring the safety of the cargo containment system and hull support structure.

The vessel features advanced technologies to boost operational performance and energy efficiency. Equipped with the SmartEye intelligent monitoring system and the TotalCommand full-control system, it achieves automated precision control during berthing, significantly reducing berthing time and enhancing port operations.

Energy efficiency is further improved by applying variable frequency drive (VFD) technology to the engine room fans and seawater cooling pumps. Meanwhile, the WinGD Data Collection Monitoring (DCM) system offers real-time tracking and analysis for the dual-fuel main engine, supporting operational optimisation.

BV also supported the upgrade of BV certified boil-off gas (BOG) compressors by conducting sea trial tests and re-issuing product certificates, facilitating seamless system commissioning and vessel delivery.

Photo credit: Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore
Published: 17 April, 2025