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Alternative Fuels

Singapore bunker tanker operators to rethink operations on MPA 2030 environmental deadline, says GCMD expert

‘It makes absolute sense for Singapore to secure an early seat within the green economy in order to ready itself as a node for the green shipping corridor,’ says Dr Sanjay C. Kuttan, GCMD CTO, tells Manifold Times.
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Sanjay Kuttan

Singapore bunker tankers will likely be using a different type of marine fuel for supporting their operations about eight years from now when the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)’s environmental deadline of 2030 takes effect.

By 2030, MPA aims to reduce absolute emissions from the domestic harbour craft fleet by 15% from 2021 levels through the adoption of lower-carbon energy solutions such as blended biofuel, liquefied natural gas (LNG), diesel-electric hybrid propulsion, and full-electric propulsion.

Dr Sanjay C. Kuttan, Chief Technology Officer at the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), recommends Singapore bunker tanker operators to evaluate the load profile of their vessels before deciding on which low carbon energy solution to choose.

“Though electrification will be the easiest route towards decarbonisation, bunker tanker operators need to be practical and consider how much cargo the vessel will transport, their operating speed and distance when delivering marine fuel to receiving ships,” he told Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times on the side lines of Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) 2022.

“Also, consideration will be need to be placed on the type of cargo carried and idle time for recharging before deciding on whether a hybrid or full electrical solution will be applicable. It really depends on the age, design and operating conditions of the bunker tanker – not forgetting commercial viability.

“If the age of their vessels restricts retrofitting decisions players can also explore implementing minimally a B15 blend of biofuel mixed with their current fuel consumption to meet MPA’s 2030 requirements.”

Shape Up or Ship Out by 2030

The Singapore bunkering sector will definitely be taking steps to comply with MPA’s environmental target by 2030, affirms Dr Kuttan.

“The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is responsible for overseeing developments made towards international shipping but harbourcraft specifically sits outside its control. Every state can set their targets for the transition to happen and in this case MPA has already set the limit for Singapore’s local shipping and bunkering sector,” he explains.

“Once the government places a compliance target it forces everyone to start rethinking what needs to be done. As such, local compliance is going to force everyone in the bunkering sector to either clean up or lose their license-to-operate.”

Furthermore, Dr Kuttan notes it will be a better decision for marine fuels players to remain relevant in the future green economy due to expected sustainability requirements from clients.

“Future market forces may dictate a scenario when clients start asking for accountability of the total carbon footprint for services rendered. If this is the case, players within the supply chain, including bunkering firms, may need to meet certain standards of a carbon audit or lose their clients,” he says.

“As such, it makes absolute sense for Maritime Singapore to secure an early seat within the green economy to establish itself as a key node within future green shipping corridors.”

Related: Priorities of maritime Singapore have ‘remained on-track’ despite COVID-19, says MPA
Related: Singapore making ‘significant efforts’ to build sustainable maritime hub, says Minister
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: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 23 March, 2022

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
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ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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