Newbuilding

Singapore: Equatorial Marine Fuel builds four “new generation” methanol-ready bunker tankers

The four bunker tankers can be powered by net-zero fuels and are scheduled to arrive at the republic across 2024 and 2025. These IMO Type II Chemical and Oil Tankers will be capable of carrying methanol and biofuels (up to B100 blends).

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2023

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Singapore bunker supplier Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services (EMF) confirmed that it will be building two additional 7,999 dwt IMO Type II Chemical and Oil Tankers that will be used as bunker tankers at the Port of Singapore, learned Manifold Times.

Earlier in December 2022, EMF placed an order for two similar newbuildings at Zhejiang Shenzhou Sunshine Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.; the first two units are scheduled for delivery in Q4 2024 while the remaining two will arrive at the republic by Q2 2025.

“We made a calculated decision to build two units followed by another two based on our fleet renewal and replacement program,” said Choong Sheen Mao, Director of EMF.

“While the market share of alternative marine fuels is projected to increase, the CO₂ emission factor or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of such fuels will be even lower than what we are commonly seeing today. Presently, conventional bunker tankers in Singapore are only allowed to carry and deliver biofuel blends of up to 25%. As such, a “new generation” of bunker tankers is required to carry lower-carbon marine fuels such as biofuel (above 25% blends) and green methanol.

“The newbuildings are compatible with net-zero fuels, and can consume pure biodiesel (B100) as their fuel when operating in port. This enables us, as shipowners too, to comply with upcoming environmental regulations. We will also effectively be reducing our customers’ Scope 3 emissions.”

“The time frame for our fleet renewal is ideal as it puts us in a position to be ready to handle lower-carbon fuels while addressing our current tonnage requirements.”

Mr Choong notes the cargo tanks of the bunker tankers are coated with a phenolic epoxy compound. Essentially, the newbuildings are constructed to IMO Type II Chemical and Oil Tanker specifications allowing for the transportation and delivery of methanol and biofuel of up to B100 content in addition to conventional marine fuels.

So Kah Meng, Sustainable Energy Manager of EMF, shares: “We encountered several challenges including meeting the additional technical specifications related to safe methanol bunkering.”

“As such, there must be specialised detectors for methanol fire and suitable types of firefighting apparatus onboard the new bunker tankers. Crew working onboard these vessels will be adequately trained in handling the equipment.

“Our active participation in various methanol study and working groups have allowed us to gain critical knowledge in addressing these key issues.”

According to Mr Choong, EMF anticipates that biofuels and methanol to be increasing their market share in the coming years, hence new supporting infrastructure and services will be required.

“As a leading bunker supplier in Singapore, Equatorial has to be dynamic in making sustainable business decisions for providing different types of marine fuels and decarbonisation solutions,” he said.

“The global order book currently indicates more than 200 methanol-fuelled vessels entering the shipping market; this data has supported our decision to construct a new generation of bunker tankers to deliver methanol and various types of marine fuels.

Moving forward, Mr Choong is confident that Singapore will continue to be a leading maritime and bunkering hub.

“Equatorial has been proactively participating in various types of consortiums, innovative initiatives led by numerous maritime related partners that are driving the development of alternative marine fuel supply chains in Singapore,” he highlights.

“We foresee more alternative marine fuel bunkering trials taking place over the next 2 to 3 years that will continue to place Singapore as the leading bunkering hub for all types of marine fuels.”

Photo credit: Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services
Published: 22 November 2023

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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.

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May 22, 2025

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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

Ammonia

Singapore-based Seatrium receives AiP from ABS for ammonia bunker vessel

Vessel has a 25,000m³ liquefied ammonia capacity, constructed using IMO Type C containment, designed by Seatrium Marine & Deepwater Technology.

Published

2 days ago

May 21, 2025

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Singapore-based Seatrium receives AiP from ABS for ammonia bunker vessel

Singapore-headquartered marine engineering firm Seatrium on Tuesday (21 May) said it has secured an Approval in Principle (AiP) from classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a 25,000m³ ammonia bunker vessel.

The company said the vessel has a 25,000m³ liquefied ammonia capacity, constructed using IMO Type C containment, designed by Seatrium Marine & Deepwater Technology.

The vessel is capable of dedicated ammonia bunkering with optional carrier functionality.

It is designed to operate with a deadweight tonnage of 19,500 mt at 14 knots, allowing for 55 days of operation without the need for refuelling.

The vessel’s features include enhanced safety architecture focused on preventing open-deck leaks, compliant with IMO standards, the IGC Code, and ABS regulations as well as integrated systems allowing a seamless switch between ammonia and diesel fuel.

“The ABS AiP verifies the technical viability and regulatory compliance of our vessel, creating a foundation for detailed engineering and construction,” the company said.

“This approval marks a crucial step towards timely delivery and positions Seatrium as a leader in maritime energy transition. Together, we are building a robust fuel infrastructure for the ZeroCarbon fleet of the future!”

Photo credit: Seatrium
Published: 21 May, 2025

Newbuilding

CMA CGM takes delivery of new methanol dual-fuel boxship “ARGON”

Vessel, which was built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries is the second in a series of 12 dual-fuel methanol vessels with a capacity of 13,000 TEUs with the first being “CMA CGM IRON”.

Published

2 days ago

May 21, 2025

Admin

CMA CGM takes delivery of new methanol dual-fuel boxship “ARGON”

Shipping giant CMA CGM on Saturday (17 May) said it has taken delivery of a new methanol-powered 13,000 TEU container ship on 15 May.

CMA CGM ARGON was built in Mokpo, South Korea by shipbuilder Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.

The vessel is the second in a series of 12 dual-fuel methanol vessels with a capacity of 13,000 TEUs with the first being CMA CGM IRON.

“CMA CGM ARGON is part of a new series of containerships named after elements from the Mendeleev table — COBALT, PLATINUM, MERCURY, HELIUM, KRYPTON, THORIUM, OSMIUM, SILVER, COPPER and GOLD — to be progressively delivered in 2025 and 2026,” the company said in a social media post.

“Their deployment reflects the strength of our long-term industrial partnerships and our ambition to decarbonise shipping at scale.”

Manifold Times previously reported CMA CGM IRON, the Group’s first dual-fuel methanol vessel, making its maiden call on 4 March at the Port of Singapore.

Photo credit: CMA CGM
Published: 20 May, 2025