Business

Singapore bunker trader Sing Fuels backs fintech venture with USD 10 mil investment

129Knots will offer a vast range of OTD solutions to increase transparency and enhance risk mitigation beginning in marine energy transition sector, with plans to expand into other high growth industries.

Published

1 month ago

February 13, 2025

Admin

Global fintech venture 129Knots recently announced its launch with a USD 10 million investment led by Singapore’s homegrown bunker trader Sing Fuels.

The company reported that it is backed by a USD 500 million deal pipeline.

Its real-world asset origination to distribution (OTD) technology will deliver and deploy scalable liquidity solutions through secure chain technologies. This will elevate supply chains into high-value assets that meet investment-grade standards.

Moreover, the platform is driven by a proprietary data driven credit engine named Tribal Knots. Tribal Knots uses advanced machine learning and integrates both structured and unstructured data from global networks to offer real-time insights into buyer behavior, transaction patterns, and industry benchmarks.

129Knots was incubated and launched under the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) Corporate Venture Launchpad programme, which supports companies with venture creation and startup partnerships from Singapore.

The corporation partnered with McKinsey & Company to validate its market opportunity, which led to the creation of 129Knots to drive innovation in the real-world asset economy.

The additional support from Enterprise Singapore and IBM consulting, combined with the USD 10 million capital injection, will help scale 129Knots globally as it aims to solve the USD 2.5 trillion gap between trade finance requests and approvals, which is its first market entry value proposition.

129Knots will also offer a vast range of OTD solutions across trade credit, asset tokenization, programmable money, stablecoin-powered transactions, blockchain technology, advanced trade audit trails, innovative credit risk assessment models, and trade governance.

These technologies will increase transparency and enhance risk mitigation beginning in the marine energy transition sector, with plans to expand into other high growth industries.

Vikash Dhanuka, Founder & Group CEO of 129Knots, said: “The homogeneous approach of balance-sheet led lending is obsolete. A one-size-fits-all approach simply fails in a dynamic sector such as global trade. At 129Knots, we redefine the game with a tailored integration of OTD technology, business risk management, and finance.”

“As an example, a small marine energy supplier in an emerging market can tokenize receivables using programmable money, enabling instant credit disbursement upon achieving predefined milestones verified in real-time through advanced governance audit trails.”

“This innovation provides financiers with full visibility into trade assets, mitigates risks and unlocks capital previously unavailable through conventional channels.”

Photo credit: Kyle Sudu on Unsplash
Published: 13 February, 2025

Safety

Singapore: MPA urges port users to stay vigilant during monsoon surge

Moderate to heavy showers and strong winds are expected from 19 to 21 March due to a north-east monsoon surge and as such, vessels must be properly secured for sea at all times, says MPA.

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (19 March) has reminded owners, agents and masters of vessels to stay vigilant from 19 to 21 March due to a north-east monsoon surge.

“Moderate to heavy showers, and strong winds are expected during this period. Vessels must be properly secured for sea at all times,” MPA said in a port marine notice.

“The life-saving and firefighting equipment onboard must also be in good working condition and in accordance with the International Code for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations,” it said.

“Crew members shall be familiar with all emergency procedures, especially when embarking and disembarking passengers during adverse weather conditions. Vessels should maintain safe speeds, observe International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).”

Masters of vessels are reminded to keep a safe anchor watch.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 20 March, 2025

Alternative Fuels

Hong Kong-based Sun Ferry takes delivery of diesel-electric ferry “Xin Ming Zhu 30”

New vessel, designed by Incat Crowther and constructed by Guangzhou-based shipbuilder AFAI Southern Shipyard, will serve inter-island commuter and tourism operations across Hong Kong.

Published

16 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

Hong Kong-based Sun Ferry takes delivery of diesel-electric ferry “Xin Ming Zhu 30”

Global digital shipbuilder Incat Crowther on Wednesday (19 March) said Hong Kong-based ferry operator Sun Ferry has taken delivery of Xin Ming Zhu 30, a new, 35-metre diesel-electric ferry.

The new vessel, designed by Incat Crowther and constructed by Guangzhou-based shipbuilder AFAI Southern Shipyard, is the third vessel to join a fleet of seven new vessels designed by Incat Crowther for the mass transit operator.

The vessel will serve inter-island commuter and tourism operations across Hong Kong, connecting Peng Chau, Mui Wo, Chi Ma Wan and Cheung Chau.

The 300-seat passenger ferry boasts Veth azimuth thrusters that provide high manoeuvrability at operating speeds of 14 knots. The adoption of this technology makes the vessel suitable for berthing at piers on inter island routes.

The vessel is also fitted with 72 solar panels providing 7.5 kilowatts of on-board power.

Sam Mackay, Technical Manager at Incat Crowther, said: "This vessel reflects Sun Ferry’s commitment to future focused design solutions that not only meet operational needs, but that exceed customer expectations.”

“With diesel-electric propulsion, solar technology, and passenger-centric design, it sets a new benchmark for sustainable and efficient ferry services in Hong Kong.”

The delivery of the 35-metre hybrid vessel follows the delivery of two 45-metre conventional diesel-powered vessels to Sun Ferry. The final three vessels, all 45-metre vessels, will be delivered by the end of 2025. All vessels in the fleet have been designed by Incat Crowther and built by AFAI Southern Shipyard.

Photo credit: Incat Crowther
Published: 20 March, 2025

Biofuel

PRIO delivers Eco Bunkers B30 to two cargo ships at ports in Portugal

Company supplied the bio bunker fuel, a product containing 30% renewable raw materials, to “BBC Lisbon” at Port of Aveiro on 3 March and to “ANNA” at Port of Leixões on 18 March.

Published

16 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

PRIO delivers Eco Bunkers B30 to two cargo ships at ports in Portugal

Biofuels producer PRIO on Wednesday (19 March) said it carried out Eco Bunkers B30 fuel deliveries to shipping company Briese Chartering in collaboration with its partner UFS Unites Fuel Services this month.

On 3 March, PRIO supplied the biofuel to cargo vessel BBC Lisbon at the Port of Aveiro and to another cargo vessel, ANNA, at the Port of Leixões on 18 March.

“With these two Eco Bunkers B30 deliveries, a product containing 30% renewable raw materials, PRIO enabled Briese Chartering to reduce around 60 tons of CO2 in just two port calls in Portugal,” it said in a social media post.

“Produced at PRIO’s Aveiro plant, biodiesel has the potential to reduce GHG emissions by approximately 88% compared to fossil fuels.”

“PRIO has been demonstrating its commitment to decarbonising the maritime sector by supplying more sustainable products, ranging from 1% to 100% renewable content.”

Manifold Times previously reported PRIO launching its ECO Bunkers B30 biofuel in partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and World Fuel Services.

PRIO previously launched ECO Bunkers B15, a green fuel for ships with 15% biodiesel and the company then launched a 20% biofuel blend, ECO Bunkers E20.

Photo credit: PRIO
Published: 20 March, 2025