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Singapore firm CRecTech and Pertamina NRE explore Indonesia biomethanol facility

MoU between the companies is driven by the accelerating global transition from conventional marine fuels to more environmentally friendly alternatives, particularly in the shipping sector.
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Singapore firm CRecTech and Pertamina NRE explore Indonesia biomethanol facility

Pertamina New & Renewable Energy (Pertamina NRE) on Friday (10 April) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday (1 April) with Singapore firm CRecTech Pte Ltd (CRecTech). 

The agreement focuses on exploring the development of a pilot biogas-to-biomethanol facility in the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Sumatra, Indonesia.

CRecTech is a Singapore-based clean technology company that converts carbon-based gases into high-value chemicals and fuels through its proprietary CRecREF™ catalytic technology, with a focus on supporting decarbonization and advancing green chemical solutions.

This MoU marks a strategic step toward optimising the utilisation of domestic renewable energy resources, particularly biogas, which holds significant potential in Indonesia. 

“The initiative not only opens opportunities for the development of next-generation green fuels but also represents a key milestone in strengthening Indonesia’s role within the global clean energy supply chain,” Pertamina NRE said.

“In addition, biomethanol development has the potential to support decarbonisation in the maritime sector while creating added economic value from local resources.”

The CEO of Pertamina NRE, John Anis, stated that this collaboration forms part of the company’s strategy to accelerate the development of clean energy based on local resources.

“This collaboration represents a concrete step by Pertamina NRE in accelerating the utilization of biogas into higher value-added products such as biomethanol. Indonesia holds significant potential, both in terms of market demand and feedstock availability—particularly from palm oil waste, which has yet to be fully optimised. 

“Through our partnership with CRecTech and its innovative technology, we are confident in building a competitive and sustainable green fuel value chain. Moving forward, we hope this initiative will not stop at the pilot stage but can be scaled up to a larger commercial level, delivering tangible impact on the development of Indonesia’s green energy ecosystem,” said John.

Through this partnership, Pertamina NRE and CRecTech will conduct a joint study to evaluate the feasibility of developing a pilot biogas-to-biomethanol facility in the Sei Mangkei SEZ. Should the study yield positive results, the collaboration will proceed with the deployment of CRecTech’s CRecREF™ catalytic technology at the Sei Mangkei Biogas Power Plant.

“CRecTech’s CRecREF™ technology is specifically designed for applications like this—converting low-quality biogas streams into high-value green chemicals directly at the production site, without the need for large-scale investments typically required by conventional methanol plants,” said Kang Hui Lim, CEO of CRecTech.

“Indonesia has immense biogas potential, and Pertamina NRE is the ideal partner to transform this resource advantage into a commercially viable biomethanol supply. We are pleased to formalize this collaboration and look forward to demonstrating its potential in Sei Mangkei.”

This MoU is also driven by the accelerating global transition from conventional marine fuels to more environmentally friendly alternatives, particularly in the shipping sector, which is shifting toward low-carbon fuels. 

Indonesia itself possesses significant biogas potential, especially from the palm oil industry through the processing of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME). Pertamina NRE has identified several locations within its portfolio, including Sei Mangkei, with large-scale feedstock availability.

Looking ahead, the development of an integrated biogas-to-biomethanol value chain is expected to position the Sei Mangkei SEZ as a green fuel production hub in Indonesia. 

Manifold Times previously interviewed Dr Lim Kang Hui, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of CRecTech, on its drive to solve the low supply and high price tag of renewable methanol. 

Related: Singapore: CRecTech launches pre-pilot system to convert waste biogas into bio-methanol
Related: Singapore start-up takes on challenge to cut production cost of methanol bunker fuel by half

 

Photo credit: Pertamina New & Renewable Energy
Published: 13 April, 2026

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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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July 21, 2026

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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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July 21, 2026

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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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July 21, 2026

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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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