Business

Singapore: Equatorial Marine Fuel launches sustainable energy business unit, commits towards multi-fuel future

“Strategic planning for decarbonisation has been complex. Existing experience, expertise and networks will be critical to transit to low- and zero-carbon marine fuels bunkering,” EMF Director tells Manifold Times.

Published

2 years ago

September 5, 2023

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EMF sustainable energy unit Sea Reliance

Singapore bunker supplier Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services Pte Ltd (EMF) has launched a sustainable energy business unit to support maritime decarbonisation, learned bunkering publication Manifold Times.

“The Sustainable Energy business unit started in July 2023 and we created this dedicated business unit to show our commitment towards a sustainable future,” explained Choong Zhen Mao, Executive Director of EMF, on Thursday (31 August).

“While EMF has already been actively participating in the maritime decarbonisation space for the past number of years, such is the complexities of maritime decarbonisation that we recognised the need for a more professional, systematic and sustainable approach to develop this new area of business.”

According to Mr Choong, the unit’s primary functions are to drive the company towards maritime decarbonisation through the provision of research and development support for deeper understanding of the technical and commercial viability of alternate marine fuels and other related projects.

“The new unit will plan and manage the development of EMF’s existing and new low- and zero-carbon marine fuels and sustainability projects and businesses,” he shared.

“This includes supporting and advising on the company’s various business units on decarbonisation regulations and requirements while engaging the wider maritime industry, institutes of higher learning, research agencies and technology firms for their insights.”

So Kah Meng, EMF’s Sustainable Energy Manager, was positive towards the adoption of biofuel and methanol as a marine fuel in the coming years.

“While there are several alternative fuels that are developing, EMF sees the main alternate marine fuels in the next few years to be LNG, biofuel and methanol,” he stated.

“This is, of course, subject to international regulatory changes. We have already seen IMO’s approval of the usage of certified sustainable biofuels to improve a ship’s CII rating, whereas the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) will be extended to maritime transport from 2024. It should not go unnoticed that the IMO will finalise a pricing mechanism, that will be enforced on maritime emissions, by 2025.

“Biofuel is a proven drop-in fuel. Methanol is increasingly gaining popularity and there are a good number of deliveries of dual fuel vessels that are methanol-ready from 2024 onwards.

“We are also looking at non-conventional options for our clients to be able to bind carbon credits with the fuels supplied, thereby providing a carbon neutral solution.”

The prospect of supporting ammonia and hydrogen as a bunker fuel has also been within the scope of EMF’s research.

“We have invested in studying ammonia as a marine fuel and kept in close contact with the various classification societies and relevant institutions to understand the fuel in relation to existing and future technologies,” added Mr Choong.

“As a leading bunker supplier in Singapore, we will have to be nimble and progressive in our business model to be able to provide different types of bunker fuels and decarbonisation solutions.”

In 2022, Equatorial was ranked by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore as the largest bunker supplier by volume in Singapore.

Photo credit: Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services
Published: 5 September, 2023

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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

7 hours ago

April 21, 2025

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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

ECA

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

In preparation of the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area regulation, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

Published

7 hours ago

April 21, 2025

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Aydın Yıldız, Head of Marine Sales at Petrol Ofisi Group

Petrol Ofisi’s bunkering arm PO/Marine on Thursday (17 April) said it has completed the bunkering operation of ULSFO—a marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content—in alignment with the upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area (MED ECA) regulation.

Under the new regulation, all vessels operating within the Mediterranean must use low-sulphur marine fuels.

Effective 1 May 2025, the Mediterranean will officially be designated as an Emission Control Area (MED ECA), prohibiting the use of marine fuels with sulphur content exceeding 0.10%.

In preparation for this regulatory transition, PO/Marine successfully delivered its first supply of ULSFO (Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel Oil) with 0.10% sulphur content on 15 April.

PO/Marine launches supply of MED ECA-compliant ULSFO bunker fuel

Aydın Yıldız, Senior Maritime Manager at Petrol Ofisi Group, said: “Our leadership in the maritime fuel sector is defined not only by our market share but also by the innovative steps we take to shape the industry.

“Successfully completing the supply of marine fuel with 0.10% sulphur content in alignment with the MED ECA transition in Türkiye is a concrete reflection of this. We previously led the way with the country’s first VLSFO bunkering operation, setting a precedent in our sector.

“With our ULSFO bunkering, we have once again demonstrated that we are setting the standard in Türkiye’s marine fuel landscape. The designation of the Mediterranean as an Emission Control Area is not only a regional development but a historic turning point for global maritime operations.”

Photo credit: PO/Marine
Published: 21 April, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Oilmar completes first ULSFO bunker fuel delivery in Türkiye

Company announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul and is now offering the marine fuel in several key locations including Istanbul Anchorage and Marmara Sea.

Published

7 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Admin

UAE-based marine fuel and petroleum products trader Oilmar DMCC on Friday (18 April) announced the successful completion of its first ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur delivery in Istanbul, marking one of the very first trades of its kind in the country.

“With this milestone, Oilmar proudly steps forward as one of Türkiye’s pioneering trading companies in ULSFO 0.1% Sulphur fuel,” it said in a social media post.

Oilmar is now offering ULSFO 0.1% across key locations:

Istanbul Anchorage
Marmara Sea
Gulf of Derince
Bozcaada Anchorage
Southern Türkiye Ports

In addition, High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO), Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Ultra-Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (ULSFO), and Low Sulphur Marine Gasoil (LSMGO) are available at all ports across Türkiye.

Photo credit: Dima Rogachevskiy on Unsplash
Published: 21 April, 2025