Business

Singapore: Future of Shipping Conference reiterates ‘hands-on-deck’ approach for decarbonisation

About 450 maritime leaders and industry professionals from around the world gathered to discuss a global approach towards decarbonisation and digitalisation.

Published

4 years ago

April 26, 2021

Admin

Around 450 maritime leaders and industry professionals from around the world gathered online on Friday (23 April) to discuss a global approach towards decarbonisation and digitalisation of the maritime industry at the Future of Shipping Conference (FOSC).

Jointly organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the FOSC was held in conjunction with the 15th Singapore Maritime Week.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Mr Ong Ye Kung, Singapore’s Minister for Transport, said, “Shipping brings trade, and with it, greater business opportunities, creation of jobs, co-operation and inter-dependence between countries, setting the conditions for peace and stability.”

“Developments in shipping have a real impact on the development of economies and uplifting of lives around the world. With deep commitment to collaboration in decarbonisation and digitalisation, we can realise a better future for shipping and for the economies and people who depend on it.”

Minister Ong also announced that MPA, Singapore Shipping Association, and Global Compact Network Singapore, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to train the industry in carbon accounting, support companies in managing and lowering emissions, and encourage best practices in decarbonisation.

“We all have a part to play in addressing challenges and pushing blue sky thinking to develop and implement solutions,” said Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, International Maritime Organization, said in his address.

“To keep pace with the demands of the global economy and the expectations for sustainable growth, the maritime world needs to be in the forefront of transformational change. We need to facilitate decarbonisation and enhance digitalisation for safer, more environmentally friendly, and efficient shipping.”

Lim also thanked MPA for partnering IMO on the “Single Window for Facilitation of Trade Project”, or SWiFT, which will develop a maritime single window system for a port in a developing country.

FOSC presented a timely opportunity for stakeholders to move forward on NextGEN - a concept for a collaborative global ecosystem of maritime transport decarbonisation initiatives first announced in September 2020.

The inaugural meeting of NextGEN took place on the side-lines of the conference. The meeting discussed ways to ensure that developing countries are not left behind in the progress towards maritime decarbonisation, and the actions needed to facilitate collaboration across the maritime and energy supply chain. Participants were also informed of plans to launch a NextGEN portal in the second half of 2021 to further discussions and sharing of initiatives in maritime decarbonisation.

The conference also saw several presentations and panel discussions from representatives across the geographical regions and the maritime value chain, on viable pathways to maritime decarbonisation and a technologically empowered maritime sector.

Additionally, the discussion also focused on the role of IMO and its Member States in ensuring that no country is left behind.

Closing the conference, Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Climate Action and Assistant Secretary-General for the Climate Action Team, said, “It is increasingly clear that decarbonisation of the global economy is inevitable and all sectors must act now.”

“We urgently need all hands-on-deck to speed up this transition and ensure we keep the 1.5C goal within reach. Initiatives like NextGEN and the Getting to Zero Coalition can help deliver the necessary support, technology transfer and investment in the sector in developing and emerging economies.”

Photo:

First row left to right:

Mr Robert Ashdown, Secretary General, International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)
Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority
Mr Nick Ryan, Vice President (Operated Fleet), bp shipping
Ms Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore

Second row left to right:

Mr Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman BW Group and Co-Chair of the International Advisory Panel on Maritime Decarbonisation
Mr Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, International Maritime Organization
Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Transport, Singapore
Mr Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Climate Action and Assistant Secretary-General for the Climate Action Team

Third row left to right:

Mr Brian Østergaard Sørensen, Vice President, Head of Research & Development, Two-Stroke, MAN Energy Solutions
Mr Darwin Telemaque, Chief Executive, Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority (ABPA)
Ms Vivian Rambarath Parasram, Director and Head, Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (Carribean)
Mr David Foo, Assistant Chief Executive (Operations-Technology), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 26 April, 2021

Biofuel

Ulsan Port aims to become leading bio bunker fuel supply hub in Northeast Asia

UPA’s Director Byeong-gu Kim unveiled comprehensive plans to promote marine biofuel adoption centered on Ulsan Port at 2nd Forum on the Commercialization of Biofuels for Maritime Vessels in Seoul.

Published

11 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Admin

Ulsan Port aims to become leading bio bunker fuel supply hub in Northeast Asia

Ulsan Port Authority (UPA) on Thursday (24 April) said it is looking to position the port as a leading biofuel supply hub in Northeast Asia.

UPA, Korea’s port operator for energy and petrochemical logistics, emphasised its strategic role in building a stable marine biofuel supply chain aligned with tightening global regulations.

UPA's Director Byeong-gu Kim unveiled comprehensive plans to promote marine biofuel adoption centered on Ulsan Port at a recent biofuel forum in Seoul, highlighting the port's strategic advantages including its world-class petrochemical infrastructure, extensive storage facilities, and specialised handling expertise.

The presentation showcased UPA's commitment to developing the necessary facilities and operational frameworks to become Northeast Asia's “premier biofuel bunkering destination”.

“As IMO environmental regulations intensify, Ulsan Port Authority is strategically positioned to lead the transition to alternative fuels,” stated UPA President Jae-young Byeon.

“Marine biofuels represent a practical alternative that can be implemented immediately without requiring new vessel construction or retrofitting. UPA will continue to strengthen port-centered biofuel supply networks and create a competitive eco-friendly marine fuel market through our advanced infrastructure and technical expertise.”

Chief Executive of the Korea Maritime Cooperation Center (KMC), Hong Sun-bae, emphasised that “the strategic partnership between the shipping industry and the logistics sector has become more important than ever in this era of climate-friendly economic transition.”

The 2nd Forum on the Commercialisation of Biofuels for Maritime Vessels, hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and co-organized by UPA and KMC, drew around 300 key stakeholders from across the shipping, energy, terminal, shipbuilding, and finance sectors.

The event underscored the increasing urgency of eco-friendly fuel adoption, following the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s approval of mid-term greenhouse gas reduction measures.

Expert sessions featured actionable insights and market intelligence from key players in the maritime and energy sectors:

Key outcomes from the 83rd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC83) by Team Leader Dae-jung Hwang of KMC
Biofuel utilisation and demonstration cases by Manager Dae-sik Seo of HMM
Current usage status and challenges of B100 biofuel by Manager Min-guk Jang of G-Marine Service
Market outlook for marine biofuels by Chief Surveyor Jae-hoon Lim of DNV
Case studies of biofuel applications for marine engines by Team Leader Jae-yup Seo of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering
Global marine biofuel market trends and bunkering developments by Senior Manager Yul-kyung Hong of Hyundai Fuels

Photo credit: Ulsan Port Authority
Published: 25 April, 2025

Shipping Corridor

SFOC report proposes green methanol-fuelled Korea-Europe shipping corridor

Corridor will run between Pyeongtaek Port—the largest hub for automobile imports and exports in South Korea—and major European ports of Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Southampton.

Published

11 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Admin

SFOC report proposes green methanol-fuelled Korea-Europe green shipping corridor

Korean non-government organisation Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) on Wednesday (23 April) released a report proposing the establishment of a green methanol-fuelled South Korea-Europe shipping corridor.

The proposed corridor will run between Pyeongtaek Port—the largest hub for automobile imports and exports in South Korea—and major European ports of Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Southampton, presenting strategic pathways for the decarbonization of the maritime sector.

South Korea has announced its “Greenship-K Program” to accelerate the adoption of eco-friendly vessels and set a national goal to achieve a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping by 2050.

Focusing on a green methanol-fuelled Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) operation model, the report quantitatively assessed the potential for greenhouse gas reduction along key routes. Notably, the Bremerhaven–Pyeongtaek route alone is estimated to reduce more than 1.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, given its high cargo volume.

The report proposed the adoption of green methanol as the primary fuel for the corridor, with a long-term goal to transition toward e-methanol. This shift is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 70% compared to conventional fossil fuel use.

Beyond fuel switching, the report emphasised the importance of securing a stable green fuel supply chain, establishing supportive legal and institutional frameworks, and fostering close public-private cooperation among shipping companies, cargo owners, port operators, and fuel suppliers to make the corridor a viable reality.

“With these foundational elements in place, Pyeongtaek Port is well positioned to become the starting point of Korea’s transition toward a decarbonised maritime sector,” SFOC said.

Note: The full report by SFOC can be viewed here and it is also available in Korean here.

Photo credit: Solutions for Our Climate
Published: 25 April, 2025

Biofuel

MASH Makes powers first vessel trial with bio bunker fuel from carbon-negative process

NORDEN and MASH Make completed the world’s first commercial vessel trial using B20 blend produced from a carbon-negative process; vessel operated on a roundtrip voyage from Singapore to Brazil.

Published

11 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Admin

MASH Makes powers first vessel trial with bio bunker fuel from carbon-negative process

Global shipping company DS NORDEN and renewable energy company MASH Makes on Thursday (21 April) successfully completed the world’s first commercial vessel trial using biofuel produced from a carbon-negative process.

The vessel operated on a roundtrip voyage from Singapore to Brazil, successfully using 65 tonnes of fuel blend with 20% MASH Makes biofuel in its auxiliary engine.

“This trial proves that MASH Makes’ biofuel is suitable for marine engines, and it marks an important milestone towards bringing the fuel into our operation,” said Henrik Røjel, Head of Decarbonisation and Climate Solutions, NORDEN.

The trial demonstrated that MASH Makes’ biofuel is technically a drop-in fuel, compatible with existing systems and capable of reducing reliance on fossil fuels in specific marine applications.

The results point to a practical path for shipowners to cut emissions without waiting for new infrastructure.

If the new agreement by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to cap and price excess emissions globally is ratified in October 2025, MASH Makes offers a solution that enables shipowners to start significantly reducing their emissions well before the agreement takes effect in 2028.

“Our biofuel meets the technical requirements of the shipping industry and can be used in unmodified engines. It’s a seamless, scalable alternative ready to cut emissions today,” said MASH Makes CEO Jakob Bejbro Andersen.

Unlike emerging fuels like green hydrogen or ammonia, which require new infrastructure, MASH Makes biofuel integrates directly with existing systems.

NORDEN acquired a minority stake in MASH Makes in 2023 to strengthen its future supply of renewable fuels. Since the acquisition, the two companies have worked closely together to validate the biofuel for marine usage.

Photo credit: DS NORDEN
Published: 25 April, 2025