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Singapore: MPA develops framework to support biofuel bunker fuel deliveries

MPA in consultation with relevant industry experts has developed a provisional national standard on specifications of marine biofuel (WA 2:2022).
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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (5 October) through Port Marine Circular No. 21 of 2022 said it has developed a framework to allow licensed bunker suppliers to supply biofuel within the Port of Singapore.

The intent is to support trials conducted by vessels, as the shipping industry explores the carbon reduction potential of biofuel, provided that the conditions of the framework are adhered to.

For the supply of biofuel to support trials on vessels, the bunker supplier is encouraged to supply International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified biofuel.

Quality of Biofuel

All bunker fuels supplied in the Port of Singapore shall meet ISO 8217 standards. The ISO 8217 is being revised to include additional requirements for blends of distillate and residual fuel oils with fatty acid methyl ester(s). Therefore, MPA in consultation with relevant industry experts, has developed a provisional national standard on specifications of marine biofuel (WA 2:2022). This national standard has been developed under the purview of the Chemical Standards Committee (CSC), a committee under the Singapore Standards Council.

Conditions to supply biofuel within the Port of Singapore to support trials of vessels

  • The bunker supplier shall ensure that the mass flow meter (MFM) installed on the bunker craft is intended for the measurement of biofuel as supported by the MFM vendor with the uncertainty of measurement at not more than 0.5%;
  • The biofuel supplied shall meet the density and kinematic viscosity specification requirements stated within the MFM approval letter issued by MPA for the bunker craft;
  • The bunker supplier shall ensure that the flag Administration, and Class Society of the bunker craft approve or have no objection to the loading, carriage, and delivery of the biofuel onboard the bunker barge. In accordance with MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.17, the carriage requirements for biofuel blends are assigned based on their volumetric composition, as follows:
  • 1) When the biofuel blend contains ≥75% of a MARPOL Annex I cargo, it is subject to MARPOL Annex I;
  • 2) Biofuel blends containing >1% but <75% of a MARPOL Annex I cargo are subject to MARPOL Annex II, with the carriage requirements set out in chapter 17 of the IBC Code;
  • Biofuels blended with ≤1% of a MARPOL Annex I cargo are not considered as blends and are therefore to be shipped in accordance with MARPOL Annex II, under the appropriate product entry in the IBC Code;
  • The bunker supplier shall also ensure that Standards and Investigation – Marine Fuel (SIMF) (i.e. [email protected]) is informed of the biofuel bunker delivery. The monthly statement on all bunker supplies made by the bunker supplier shall include the bunker supply of biofuel (according to the fuel type and grade of the conventional fuel, e.g. LSFO180, MFO380, MGO);
  • The supply of biofuel as bunker should be sufficiently covered in the commercial agreement between bunker supplier and bunker buyer;
  • The bunker supplier shall confirm that Master/owners of the receiving vessel has received the necessary exemption from the relevant flag Administration to conduct trials for the development of ship emission reduction, prior to the delivery;
  • No blending shall be carried out on board the bunker craft within the Port of Singapore; h. The Certificate of Quality (COQ) shall be issued by the loading facility only and made available prior to the delivery of the biofuel in Singapore. Specifications shall comply with the specifications of ISO 8217:2017 (with the exception of clause 5.1 of ISO 8217:2017 on FAME levels) which will be in accordance with the contractual agreement;
  • All loading operations shall be carried out in accordance with all applicable statutory and port/ coastal State requirements (e.g. MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.17 – 2019 Guidelines for the Carriage of Blends of Biofuels and MARPOL Annex I Cargoes);
  • The biofuel blend shall also be tested for FAME and the results shall be incorporated within the COQ;
  • The COQ shall be sent to SIMF (i.e. [email protected]) a minimum of one day prior to the biofuel bunker delivery. Any additional information on the biofuel shall be provided to MPA upon request;
  • The product name of the biofuel product supplied should be filled accordingly in the BDN (e.g. VLSFO RMG 380 B20); and
  • The bunker supplier shall maintain records to all relevant documentation.

Note: The full Port Marine Circular No. 21 of 2022 is available for download here.

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 5 October, 2022

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Newbuilding

Singapore: Pinnacle Marine’s first B100 fuelled utility boat starts 1,000-hour research trial

Newbuilding operated by Prestige Ocean Pte Ltd will capture data on bunker fuel emissions, marine fuel behaviour, and performance.
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23 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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President MT

The 50th vessel constructed by local boat builder Pinnacle Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd, namely President 100, is starting 1,000 hours of real-time research trials in collaboration with several parties from Wednesday (9 July) onwards, it says.

Powered by B100 biodiesel, the newbuilding operated by Prestige Ocean Pte Ltd will capture data on bunker fuel emissions, marine fuel behaviour, and performance.

It will be participating in trials with Maritime Energy & Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence (MESD), Weichai Singapore, China Classification Society, Pacific International Lines (PTE) Ltd, Abo Shoten, Ltd. / 株式会社安保商店 , Abo Singapore, Wilmar International, Gulf Marine, Amspec Testing & Services, and AYK Engineering and Consulting.

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The President 100, Pinnacle Marine’s first full biodiesel utility boat, was launched on Tuesday in the presence of over 100 guests.

“Our latest vessel, President 100, merges legacy and future. Named after our first aluminium boat (“President”) and inspired by B100 biodiesel, it leads the charge for our next 50 vessels — many of which will embrace green technology,” stated Pinnacle Marine in a LinkedIn post.

“The launch was amazing, with strong turnout from across the maritime sector — authorities, shipowners, operators, agencies, chandlers, researchers, offshore engineers, and petrochemical suppliers.”

It added: “We’re excited to see how it paves the way for wider adoption of B100 biodiesel — a cleaner, sustainable path for Singapore’s harbour craft sector.”

 

Photo credit: Pinnacle Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Published: 9 July 2025

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Newbuilding

BHP awards charter contracts for two ammonia dual-fuelled bulk carriers

BHP continues to work with the maritime industry to develop an ammonia bunkering plan for the two vessels when they are delivered from 2028.

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23 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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BHP ammonia DF charters

Global resources company BHP on Wednesday (2 July) signed contracts with COSCO Shipping Bulk Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of COSCO shipping Group (COSCO Shipping) for the charter of two ammonia dual-fuelled Newcastlemax bulk carriers.

The new vessels to be built under this arrangement will be two of only a handful of vessels in the world capable of using ammonia as a bunker fuel.

The two vessels, expected to be delivered from 2028, will primarily transport iron ore from Western Australia to Northeast Asia.

When run on lower or low to zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ammonia, these vessels will be capable of reducing GHG emissions by at least 50% and up to 95% on a per voyage basis compared to a conventionally fuelled voyage.

The five-year time charter contracts are expected to contribute towards a reduction in the GHG emissions intensity of BHP chartered shipping.

BHP continues to work with the maritime industry to develop an ammonia bunkering plan – the process of fuelling ships with ammonia – for the two vessels when they are delivered from 2028.

Sourcing lower and low to zero GHG emissions ammonia is subject to an ongoing tender process.

 

Photo credit: BHP
Published: 9 July 2025

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Milestone

China: Chimbusco and BJEC enter green methanol cooperation agreement

Document was signed between Ding Lihai, deputy general manager of Chimbusco, and Li Jianjun, deputy general manager of BJEC.
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2 days ago

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July 8, 2025

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Chimbusco x BJEC MT

China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co.,Ltd. (Chimbusco) and POWERCHINA Beijing Engineering Corporation Limited (BJEC) on Thursday (3 July) formally entered into a green methanol strategic cooperation framework agreement.

The document was signed between Ding Lihai, deputy general manager of Chimbusco, and Li Jianjun, deputy general manager of BJEC.

BJEC, a subsidiary of China Power Engineering Group, is experienced in the survey, design, construction and technology research and development of large-scale renewable energy projects.

Moving forward, the two parties said they will respectively focus on their core advantages and work together to promote the production, supply, storage and refuelling of green methanol as an energy source to help support the low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry.

Ding Lihai said: “The shipping industry is one of the important sources of global carbon emissions. Promoting low-carbon fuel is the key to the transformation of the industry. As the main force in the supply of bunker fuel, Chimbusco has been committed to expanding its clean fuel supply capacity. The cooperation with BJEC will integrate the advantages of green energy development and fuel supply, accelerate the large-scale application of green methanol, and meet the needs of shipping companies for clean fuel. We look forward to providing effective solutions for the green transformation of the shipping industry through the joint efforts of both parties.”

Li Jianjun said: “Implementing the ‘dual carbon’ goal is an important responsibility of enterprises. BJEC has accumulated strong technical strength in the field of green energy. This cooperation with Chimbusco will focus on the entire industrial chain of green methanol, from raw materials, production to supply, to provide clean and sustainable fuel solutions for the shipping industry. The complementary advantages of both parties will promote the rapid development of the green methanol industry and inject strong impetus into the low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry.”

 

Photo credit: China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co.,Ltd.
Published: 8 July 2025

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