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Singapore: MPA calls for financiers and insurers to support adoption of electric harbour craft

EOI was issued requesting financial institutions and intermediaries, as well as marine insurance providers and brokers, to submit proposals to make financing viable and attractive for adoption of these craft.

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Thursday (19 October) launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) today inviting financial institutions and intermediaries, as well as marine insurance providers and brokers, to submit proposals to accelerate the adoption of electric harbour craft in Singapore.

This EOI will help drive the adoption of electric harbour craft among owners and operators of harbour craft in Singapore.

As part of their proposal for financing and / or insurance solutions, EOI participants are expected to assess and propose the demand planning parameters for electric harbour craft in the port of Singapore, which would provide sufficient scale to make financing viable and attractive for the adoption of these craft. As a guide, participants may consider an aggregated fleet of 50 electric harbour craft as an initial demand planning parameter. EOI participants may also propose other portfolio sizes.

For the insurance component of the EOI, participants are expected to propose insurance solutions to address various elements of operating electric harbour craft, such as hull & machinery and / or protection & indemnity. Please refer to the Annex for details of the EOI.

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “The harbour craft sector is an integral part of our port ecosystem. To accelerate the adoption of electric harbour craft, financial institutions and insurers can play important roles to provide solutions that can help lower the barriers to support early adopters.”

“This will support the financing and insurance of selected consortiums in the earlier Expression of Interest on the design and development of electric harbour craft reference designs. We invite interested parties and institutions to put forth their ideas.”

Interested participants can visit the go.gov.sg/mpa-eoi-ehc-financing for detailed information and submission guidelines. All proposals must be submitted by 19 December 2023, 2359 hrs (Singapore time).  

By 2050, the harbour craft, pleasure craft and tug boat sectors are required to achieve net-zero emissions. To achieve the target, from 2030, all new harbour craft operating in the Port of Singapore must be fully electric, be capable of using B100 biofuel, or be compatible with net zero fuels such as hydrogen. The EOI follows from an earlier EOI launched in July 2023 for the design and development of best-in-class electric harbour craft reference designs to support early adopters of electric harbour craft.

Manifold Times previously reported MPA launching an EOI on 10 July to invite parties to submit proposals to design and promote adoption of full-electric harbour craft in Singapore. 

Later in August, it also issued a call for proposal (CFP) to develop, commission, maintain, and operate electric harbour craft (e-HC) charging points at Jurong Port, Marina South Pier, Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal, PSA Marine – West Coast Base, and Sebarok Terminal together with the existing licensees and operators of these sites. 

Related: Singapore: MPA calls for proposals to design electric harbour craft
Related: Singapore: MPA issues call for proposal to develop electric harbour craft charging points
Related: Singapore harbourcraft will need to reach net-zero emissions by 2050
Related: MPA factsheet outlines local schemes on reducing carbon emissions

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 20 October, 2023

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Biofuel

GREENMARINE and Vertoro to accelerate adoption of lignin-alcohol as marine fuel

Like fossil oil, liquid lignin can be used as a platform for fuel, chemical and material applications.

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Methanol marine fuels consultancy GREENMARINE and Vertoro, a Maersk-backed Dutch start-up focused on developing liquid lignin technology which can be used as a bunker fuel, has signed an agreement to jointly accelerate the market validation and commercial roll-out of lignin-alcohol as sustainable marine fuels.

“We at GREENMARINE Group are excited to join forces with Vertoro to bring their revolutionary lignin alcohol blend fuel to market,” said Fredrik Stubner, founder and CEO of GREENMARINE Group.

“This breakthrough technology redefines sustainable maritime fuels, delivering environmental benefits and cost efficiencies, paving the way for a greener, more competitive shipping industry.”

Dr. Michael Boot Boot, co-founder & co-CEO Vertoro, replied, “GREENMARINE Group has an excellent track record as a match maker for green fuel producers with engine manufacturers and shipping companies, opening many doors for us on both the fuel validation and offtake side.”

Vertoro, founded in 2017, produces liquid lignin exclusively from sustainably sourced forestry and agricultural residues by means of a patented thermochemical process. Like fossil oil, liquid lignin can be used as a platform for fuel, chemical and material applications.

Related: Maersk invests in Dutch start-up Vertoro to develop green lignin marine fuels

 

Photo credit: CHUTTERSNAP from Unsplash
Published: 11 July 2025

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Biofuel

Singapore: Sea Oil Petroleum receives ISCC EU certification, mulls increasing product portfolio

‘Sea Oil seeks to do its part for climate change by giving options to support to our end users,’ says Steve Goh, Head of Trading.

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Singapore-based bunker trading firm Sea Oil Petroleum Pte Ltd (Sea Oil), a wholly owned subsidiary of Thailand-listed Sea Oil Public Company Limited, has received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) EU certification, learned Manifold Times.

ISCC EU is a certification scheme that verifies compliance with the sustainability criteria for biofuels and bioliquids within the European Union. It ensures that biomass and biofuels used in the EU meet specific environmental and social requirements, including greenhouse gas emission reductions and traceability throughout the supply chain.

The milestone, which took place on 22 May after two months of processing, was reflective of the company’s aim to expand its bunker fuel product offerings to clients seeking sustainable solutions, Steve Goh, Head of Trading at Sea Oil, told the bunkering publication.

“It is important for the bunkering sector to remain relevant, adapt, and play an active role in supporting shipping’s decarbonisation journey,” said Mr Goh while adding that, “this is in line with our group’s green initiative and sustainability drive.”

“As such, Sea Oil seeks to do its part for climate change by giving options to support to our end users.

“By achieving ISCC EU certification, Sea Oil will be in a better position to provide green marine fuel solutions to customers embarking on this journey towards net zero.”

Manifold Times in May reported Sea Oil welcoming a Senior Bunker Trader to its team.

The company started 2025 with an expanded team on both international and local fronts.

Sea Oil Petroleum may be reached at: [email protected]

Related: Singapore: Sea Oil Petroleum boosts Asia and international presence with new Senior Bunker Trader
Related: Singapore: Sea Oil Petroleum enters 2025 with international representatives, expanded team

 

Photo credit: Sea Oil Petroleum
Published: 10 July 2025

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Port & Regulatory

India: DGS seeking for comments for proposed national biofuel bunkering guidelines

Guidelines to align Indian practices with international conventions, contributing to a modern, resilient, and environmentally conscious maritime ecosystem.

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DGS biofuel bunkering guidelines

The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Mumbai on 3 July issued a notice inviting comments from stakeholders on the draft circular on Biofuel bunkering Guidelines.

“Increasing global emphasis on decarbonising the maritime sector has accelerated the adoption of biofuels as a sustainable alternative to conventional marine fuels,” it explained.

“Biofuels, particularly drop-in types such as Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME), Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEE), Straight Vegetable Oils (SVO), Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils (HVO), Bio-FT-diesel (bio-Fischer-Tropsch diesel) and Biomass-to-Liquid (BTL) fuels, offer considerable benefits by reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions without necessitating major modifications to existing shipboard fuel systems.

“However, the absence of standardised national guidelines for biofuel bunkering operations in India introduces potential challenges related to safety, fuel quality assurance, environmental protection, and operational consistency.”

The proposed circular aims to bridge these gaps by establishing a clear regulatory framework for permitting, operational protocols, safety management, documentation, environmental safeguards, training requirements, and enforcement mechanisms specific to biofuel bunkering.

By implementing these guidelines, the Directorate seeks to ensure safe and reliable bunkering practices, promote the use of cleaner fuels in alignment with India’s environmental commitments, and support the growth of sustainable maritime infrastructure.

The guidelines are crucial for facilitating the responsible uptake of biofuels in the shipping sector, aligning Indian practices with international conventions, contributing to a modern, resilient, and environmentally conscious maritime ecosystem.

The full draft circular on biofuel bunkering guidelines can be obtained from DGS’ website here. Comments and inputs should be sent to: [email protected] and CC to: [email protected] by 18/07/2025.

 

Photo credit: Directorate General of Shipping
Published: 10 July 2025

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