Biofuel

Singapore: Equatorial reaches milestone with company’s first B100 bio bunker fuel delivery

‘With the recent successful delivery of the B100 biofuels, Equatorial will continue to strengthen its capabilities to provide multi-fuel solutions with low or zero GHG emissions,’ states the COO of Equatorial.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 8, 2025

Admin

Singapore bunker supplier Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services Pte Ltd (Equatorial) on 30 April achieved a company milestone with its first B100 bio bunker fuel delivery, conducted at the Tanjong Pagar Terminal.

The development saw Equatorial’s Singapore-flagged 7,999 dwt IMO Type II bunker tanker EM Nikita delivering 800 metric tonnes (mt) of Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester (UCOME) based B100 biofuel to a Pure Car Carrier operated by Mitsui O.S.K.Lines (MOL).

“As a homegrown bunker supplier for more than 30 years, Equatorial is always supportive of Singapore as a leading Port and maritime hub especially in the area for marine fuel and bunkering,” Choong Sheen Mao, Chief Operating Officer at Equatorial, told Manifold Times.

“With the successful delivery of the B100 biofuels, Equatorial will continue to strengthen its capabilities to provide multi-fuel solutions with low or zero GHG emissions.”

So Kah Meng, Sustainable Energy Manager at Equatorial, explained Equatorial had to overcome a series of challenges for the milestone operation.

This included sourcing for a constant supply of UCO that could be processed into UCOME, while factoring in the rising prices of UCOME material and increased cost and complexity of operations.

“Despite the challenges, Equatorial was still able to secure reliable suppliers with proven track record regionally to provide ISCC-EU RED II UCOME,” he said.

“Further, Equatorial managed to be certified under ISCC-EU for the past few years with biofuel deliveries and also obtained knowledge to operate IMO Type II chemical tankers as bunkering vessels, hence this plan has been thought through over the past few years to make this happen.”

Patrick Ng, Assistant Marketing Manager at Equatorial, meanwhile, noted the company is currently operating two IMO Type II bunker tankers; it will receive delivery of an additional two similar vessels by end 2025.

“These vessels are built in China and Equatorial constantly reviews its newbuild and fleet renewal programme to ensure the vessels are able to safely and effectively deliver quality marine fuels to customers,” he noted.

Moving forward, Mr Ng believed green initiatives introduced by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has produced a commercial landscape to promote bunkering of biofuel material.

This included permitting the use of Singapore-registered conventional bunker tankers to transport blends of not more than 30% by volume of biofuel (≤B30) for marine refuelling operations with effect from 7 March 2025.

“It is definitely a great move welcome by Equatorial as this policy further strengthens local capabilities as the leading maritime and bunkering hub,” he stated.

“As a homegrown bunker supplier for more than 30 years, Equatorial is always supportive of Singapore as a leading Port and maritime hub especially in the area for marine fuel and bunkering.

“With the recent successful delivery of the B100 biofuels, Equatorial will continue to strengthen its capabilities to provide multi-fuel solutions with low or zero GHG emissions.”

Photo credit: Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services
Published: 8 May 2025

Up Next

ENGINE: Europe & Africa Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (7 May 2025)

Don't Miss

Singapore: Liberia-flagged tug “Spec Nichole” placed under Sheriff’s arrest

Milestone

Singapore: Equatorial conducts its first bio-blended LSMGO bunker fuel delivery of 2025

Several key challenges including product sourcing, sustainability certification, product handling, and logistics & planning had to be addressed to execute the complex operation, notes COO of Equatorial.

Published

28 minutes ago

May 20, 2025

Admin

Singapore: Equatorial conducts its first bio-blended LSMGO bunker fuel delivery of 2025

Singapore bunker supplier Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services Pte Ltd (Equatorial) in early May carried out its first bio-blended B24 Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO) bunker fuel delivery of 2025.

The milestone saw Equatorial’s Singapore-flagged 7,999 dwt IMO Type II bunker tanker EM Nikita delivering Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester (UCOME) based LSMGO, blended to B24 spec, to an Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) operated vessel with its electronic bunker delivery note (eBDN).

“This milestone represents not just Equatorial’s first B24 LSMGO delivery, but also a significant step forward for sustainable marine fuel adoption in Singapore,” Choong Sheen Mao, Chief Operating Officer at Equatorial, told Manifold Times.

“It showcases our capability to evolve alongside the market and our commitment to providing certified, traceable, and high-quality biofuels to our customers.”

According to So Kah Meng, Sustainable Energy Manager at Equatorial, several key challenges including product sourcing, sustainability certification, product handling, and logistics & planning had to be addressed to execute the complex operation.

“Bio-blended LSMGO is significantly rarer in the market than bio-blended VLSFO due to limited production capacity, stricter blending requirements, and limited downstream demand. Equatorial secured supply through advanced procurement planning and leveraging trusted ISCC-certified upstream partners,” he explained.

“ISCC EU certification was essential to ensure traceability and regulatory compliance. Equatorial worked closely with its supply chain to ensure full documentation and sustainability verification ahead of the delivery schedule.

“Unlike bio-VLSFO, bio-blended LSMGO’s lower viscosity and pour point demanded additional considerations in tank pre-treatment and temperature control during transfer. Equatorial implemented specialised cleaning protocols and temperature monitoring to maintain fuel integrity.

“Coordination between our UCOME supplier, storage facility, barge planning, and receiving vessel was critical. Equatorial’s in-house technical and commercial teams worked closely with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and classification societies to ensure regulatory compliance and operational safety.”

Moving forward, Patrick Ng, Assistant Marketing Manager at Equatorial, believed the milestone operation was made possible by the favourable commercial maritime landscape under the supervision of MPA.

“Singapore’s strong regulatory framework, established bunkering infrastructure, and growing customer interest in low-carbon fuels have made it possible for projects like this to be commercially viable,” he stated.

“Equatorial is proud to contribute to Singapore’s decarbonisation leadership.”

Photo credit: Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services
Published: 20 May 2025

Biofuel

Cosco-controlled Piraeus Container Terminal offers biofuel bunkering services

PCT, a fully controlled subsidiary of Cosco Shipping Ports, has officially introduced biofuel bunkering services for vessels calling at the Port of Piraeus.

Published

22 hours ago

May 19, 2025

Admin

Cosco-controlled Piraeus Container Terminal offers biofuel bunkering services

Cosco Shipping Europe, the regional management company of China Cosco Shipping Corporation in the European Region, on Friday (16 May) said biofuel bunkering is now available at Piraeus Container Terminal (PCT) in Greece.

PCT, a fully controlled subsidiary of Cosco Shipping Ports, has officially introduced biofuel bunkering services for vessels calling at the Port of Piraeus – supporting customers in achieving greener, more sustainable supply chains.

After listening to customer needs, Cosco Shipping (Europe) said PCT swiftly moved into action to re-evaluate legal foundations for biofuel bunkering under ISO 8217:2024 and new Greek regulations.

It added that PCT also partnered with suppliers to provide full-service bunkering options.

Photo credit: Cosco Shipping Europe
Published: 19 May, 2025

Biofuel

Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China’s largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation

Chimbusco Pan Nation delivered 6,300 mt of B24-VLSFO in Hong Kong to boxship “XIN LOS ANGELES” on 15 May, exceeding its previous record of 5,500 mt delivered in February 2025.

Published

4 days ago

May 16, 2025

Admin

Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China's largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation

Hong Kong-based bunker supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) on Friday (16 May) said it has set a record for China’s largest B24 marine biofuel bunkering operation.

CPN said it delivered 6,300 metric tonnes (mt) of B24-VLSFO in Hong Kong to container ship XIN LOS ANGELES on 15 May.

The supply exceeded CPN’s previous record of 5,500 mt delivered to the same ship in February 2025.

“This collaboration reinforces CPN’s ability to execute large-scale marine biofuel bunkering with precision and reliability,” the company said in a social media post.

“By consistently supplying large volumes of B24 marine biofuel, CPN supports reduced carbon emissions and sustainable shipping practices globally.”

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical
Published: 16 May, 2025