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Singapore harbourcraft will need to reach net-zero emissions by 2050

06 Mar 2023

New harbourcraft operating in port must be fully-electric, or be capable of using B100 biofuels or be compatible with net-zero fuels from 2030, says the Chief Executive, Maritime and Port Authority Singapore (MPA).

Domestic harbourcraft, pleasure craft and tugboat sectors operating at the republic will need to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 in line with national climate change target, said Eng Dih Teo in a recent post on LinkedIn.

Mr Eng shared MPA will provide the regulatory and enabling framework, support testbeds & partnerships for MaritimeSG while facilitating international collaboration such as through green & digital shipping corridors and at the International Maritime Organization.

“From 2030, new harbourcraft operating in our port waters must be fully-electric, or be capable of using B100 biofuels or be compatible with net-zero fuels such as hydrogen,” he stated.

“This will optimise assets given the useful vessel lifespan and provide investment certainty. Existing harbourcraft can use biofuels or retrofit to electrify. We have made good progress with biofuel standards and will update our provisional standard from B50 up to B100 when trials are completed.

“Our community is geared up for this shift.”

MPA has co-funded consortia members such as Keppel Offshore & Marine, Sembcorp Marine Ltd, Eng Hup Shipping, Tian San Shipping (Private) Limited, Energy Research Institute @ NTU, TCOMS – Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore Institute of Technology, Envision Digital, Durapower Holdings Pte Ltd, Jurong Port, Surbana Jurong Group, Bureau Veritas | Marine & Offshore, DNV and RINA to develop full-electric ferries.

Singapore’s research institutes such as Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) and Maritime Energy & Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence (MESD) are also working with MPA and Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) on a battery and charging masterplan.

SeaTech Solutions Singapore, Yinson GreenTech and Lita Ocean are designing offshore battery swapping stations; Shell will commission their first charging station at Pulau Bukom for electric ferries operated by Penguin International Limited later the year.

Moving forward, Mr Eng highlighted MPA to be launching an Expression of Interest to invite industry and research institutes to participate in designing new electric vessel, aggregate demand to enjoy economies of scale and for financial firms to develop green finance options.

“Companies can testbed charging, energy solutions at our piers to help develop common standards and enhance interoperability,” he said.

“We welcome companies to pre-consult us early on vessel designs so that enhancements can be made upfront and to do so no later than Jan 2027 for new craft coming in 2030.

“Transforming our harbourcraft sector will raise new capabilities, and bring exciting sustainability opportunities for MaritimeSG, our partners, unions and workforce!”

 

Photo credit: Keppel FELS consortium, SeaTech Solutions international consortium, Shell and Penguin International Ltd
Published: 6 March, 2023

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