Alternative Fuels

Singapore gets ready for its first methanol bunkering this week after one year preparation

Operation will take place between the world’s first methanol-fuelled container vessel by Maersk and Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd’s Singapore-registered tanker “MT Agility”, says head of MPA.

Published

1 year ago

July 25, 2023

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Singapore is preparing for its first methanol bunkering operation this week, according to Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of Maritime and Port Authority Singapore (MPA) on Monday (24 July).

The operation will take place between the world's first methanol-fuelled container vessel by A.P. Moller - Maersk and Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd’s Singapore-registered tanker MT Agility.

The containership is on her maiden voyage from Ulsan to Copenhagen, where a delivery and naming ceremony will be held in September.

He said preparations for methanol bunkering have taken close to a year.

During the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2023, various presentations highlighted the systemic approach taken by the MPA, government agencies, first responders, industry partners and researchers on preparations and working together to further the R&D envelope of metocean modelling and nautical science. We conducted the first of a series of tabletop exercises (TTX) for methanol bunkering with more than 28 participating agencies and companies.

Following the TTX on 26 April, MPA held a two-day HAZID and HAZOP workshop with agencies and partners involved in the operation (including American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Hong Lam Marine, Maersk Oil Trading, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Mitsui & Co. Energy Trading Singapore Pte. Ltd. (METS), reps from government agencies such as National Environment Agency and Singapore Civil Defence Force etc.) as part of additional QRAs. The objectives were to augment and contextualise hazardous scenarios, share lessons from past incidents, stress-test assumptions and recommend additional measures.

“While methanol loading/unloading operations are not new to Singapore, methanol is new as a maritime fuel, agencies & partners reviewed the operation parameters,” he said.

Eng said in this case, six phases were worked on, namely the arrival of the bunker vessel to receiving vessel, connection and piping, bunkering operation, disconnection and purging, departure of vessels and crew and seafarer competency.

MPA also reviewed vessel designs and 42 recommendations were implemented, including the novel use of drones, weather and tide forecasting, continuous plume modelling and monitoring to support the operations.

Stakeholders and agency representatives convened further exercises before a full ground deployment exercise (GDX) at sea with MT Agility, assets by agencies on 20 July to validate the effectiveness of our coordination & emergency preparedness, readiness and responses.

“Methanol bunkering infrastructure is already available in Singapore. We also congratulate OCI Global, Maersk, and partners on developing green methanol supply for this voyage and beyond. With maritime shipping expected to make further strides since the International Maritime Organization MEPC80, green/biomethanol as a new maritime fuel is likely to grow apace with more methanol-enabled vessels being delivered in the coming years,” he concluded.

“MPA looks forward to a safe and successful methanol bunkering operation.”

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority Singapore
Published: 25 July, 2023

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LNG Bunkering

China: Ningbo Zhoushan Port completes first LNG bunkering operation for 2025

Bunkering vessel “Hai Yang Shi You 302” supplied more than 10,000 cubic metres of LNG bunker fuel to containership “MSC Adya” at the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port port on 5 January.

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3 days ago

January 10, 2025

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China: Ningbo Zhoushan Port completes first LNG bunkering operation for 2025

Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone Zhoushan Area on Wednesday (8 January) said Ningbo-Zhoushan Port successfully completed its first LNG bunkering operation for the year.

Bunkering vessel Hai Yang Shi You 302 supplied more than 10,000 cubic metres (m3) of LNG bunker fuel to containership MSC Adya at the port on 5 January.

Zhejiang Seaport International Trading, the bunker supplier for the operation, successfully obtained the Zhoushan Anchorage LNG bunkering licence in June 2024, extending refuelling services from dock to sea.

The company’s services cover Meishan, Chuanshan, Daxie and other port areas.

As China's first river-sea LNG transport and bunkering ship, Hai Yang Shi You is currently placed permanently at Ningbo Zhoushan Port, providing a variety of bunkering methods such as ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore.

Zhejiang Seaport International Trading will continue to expand the scope of bonded LNG bunkering operations and new alternative fuels such as green methanol, ammonia and biofuels in the Zhoushan Area.

Photo credit: Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone Zhoushan Area
Published: 10 January, 2025

Nuclear

VARD and partners team up to explore nuclear propulsion for shipping

Project, which involves Knutsen Tankers and DNV, will evaluate fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for their viability in commercial shipping applications.

Published

3 days ago

January 10, 2025

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VARD and partners team up in project to explore nuclear propulsion for shipping

Norway-based shipbuilder VARD on Friday (3 January) said it has partnered with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Ålesund, Norway and other key stakeholders in the NuProShip I project, which explores nuclear propulsion for the maritime sector.

NuProShip, short for "Nuclear Propulsion in Shipping," will evaluate fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for their viability in commercial shipping applications.

In this project, an extensive assessment of 99 companies developing advanced reactor technologies led to the selection of three promising reactor types:

Kairos Power (USA): Fluoride high-temperature molten salt reactor using Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles, designed for robust and efficient operation.
Ultrasafe (USA): Helium-cooled gas reactor, also employing TRISO fuel particles, known for their resilience and safety in extreme conditions.
Blykalla (Sweden): Lead-cooled reactor concept utilizing uranium oxide as fuel, offering high efficiency with advanced cooling mechanisms.

VARD said TRISO fuel particles, noted for their durability and containment properties, play a crucial role in two of these reactor types.

“TRISO technology in fact, is renowned as one of the most resilient nuclear fuel types available today,” it added.

Alongside VARD, the NuProShip project is supported by other partners, including DNV, the Norwegian Maritime Administration, ship owner Knutsen Tankers, and the Spanish nuclear consultancy IDOM.

VARD’s primary contribution involves integrating these reactor systems into various vessel types, assessing the technical challenges to enable the future commercial use of nuclear-powered ships.

Photo credit: VARD
Published: 10 January, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: KPI OceanConnect, partners deliver first renewable diesel to cruise industry

Delivery of bunker fuel from Neste was made at Singapore Cruise Terminal, with the fuel sourced from Vopak Penjuru Terminal and transported to a cruise ship via barge “Maple”, operated by Global Energy.

Published

4 days ago

January 9, 2025

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Singapore: KPI OceanConnect, partners deliver first renewable diesel to cruise industry

Global provider of marine energy solutions KPI OceanConnect on Wednesday (8 January) said it partnered with Neste and Global Energy on the first successful delivery of renewable diesel, also known as HVO100, for the cruise industry in Singapore.

The landmark delivery of Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ took place in November 2024 and marked a significant milestone for the Asia-Pacific marine sector.

Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ is made from 100% renewable raw materials and is a direct replacement for fossil diesel, helping the industry meet its sustainability goals.

The use of this renewable diesel can result in up to 90% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction over its lifecycle compared to fossil diesel.

The fuel is a drop-in solution and is suitable for all diesel-powered engines without the need for additional investment or modification to engines or fuel infrastructure.

The delivery of renewable diesel from Neste was made at the Singapore Cruise Terminal, with the fuel sourced from Vopak Penjuru Terminal and transported to the cruise ship via bunker barge Maple, operated by Global Energy.

KPI OceanConnect facilitated the successful delivery of the renewable diesel, working closely with the vessel's technical team to ensure engine compliance. KPI OceanConnect collaborated with Neste to source the fuel and with Global Energy for operational agreements in Singapore waters.

Ee Pin Lee, Head of Commercial APAC, Renewable Products at Neste, said: "This first supply of Neste MY Renewable Diesel to the marine sector in Asia-Pacific is a significant milestone and demonstrates the versatility of the product across a wide range of applications where it can replace fossil diesel. It is an effective solution for enabling the marine sector to be more sustainable."

Chow Munee, Group Business Manager, Global Energy, added: “Partnering with Neste and KPI OceanConnect to supply renewable diesel to the marine sector in Singapore is an important step in helping our clients reduce their environmental impact. By providing seamless and reliable delivery of HVO, we are supporting the industry’s transition without compromising operational efficiency. We’re proud to play a role in driving these crucial efforts within the maritime sector.”

Jesper Sørensen, Head of Alternative Fuels and Carbon Markets at KPI OceanConnect, said: “We are proud to be industry first movers in sourcing and delivering HVO for our clients, helping them reduce their carbon footprint and achieve their environmental goals. By working closely with Neste and Global Energy, we were able to offer high-quality biofuel to our client, laying the groundwork for further fuel uptake and decarbonisation progress. This successful delivery is a testament to how partnerships can help advance the industry’s green transition.”

Photo credit: KPI OceanConnect
Published: 9 January, 2025