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Singapore oil spill: Clean-up enters next phase of cleaning rock bunds

Singapore authorities said removal of bulk oil from sea and beaches is nearly completed and will move on to the next stage of clean-up response, which is focused on the more difficult clean-up of oil remnants in areas such as rock bunds.

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Singapore oil spill: Clean-up enters next phase of cleaning rock bunds

Singapore authorities on Monday (24 June) said the removal of bulk oil from the sea and beaches is nearly completed and will move on to the next stage of the clean-up response. 

An oil spill occurred on 14 June after Netherlands-registered dredger Vox Maxima hit stationary bunker vessel Marine Honour causing fuel from the bunker vessel’s cargo tank to spill into Singapore waters. 

In a joint statement by authorities including Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), they said there has been no observed oil slick along the East Coast and Changi since 18 June based on both satellite and drone images. 

The bulk of oil-soaked sand has been removed from most of the affected public beaches, with the exception of Tanjong and Palawan beach at Sentosa. To date, about 550 tonnes of oil-soaked sand and debris have been collected from all affected beaches.

“We are moving to the next phase of the clean-up response, which is focused on the more difficult clean-up of oil remnants trapped in areas such as coastal features, waterside infrastructures and rock bunds. These areas are not as easily accessible, and oil could be trapped in crevices and below beach surfaces that require significant effort to clean,” they said. 

“This new phase will involve specialised resources and equipment. This cleaning will be done carefully, considering the conditions at each site, such as wind, tide and currents, to minimise the oil on the rock bunds from re-polluting the coastline, beaches, and biodiversity-sensitive areas.”

“We are working with the oil spill consultants to deploy the most effective methods for cleaning while minimising cleaning contamination to surrounding areas.”

For the more heavily impacted areas, including Sentosa’s Tanjong and Palawan beaches, the specialised clean-up operations are expected to take around three months, based on our preliminary estimates.

For the more lightly impacted areas at Sentosa Siloso beach and certain stretches of East Coast Park, this clean-up is expected to be completed earlier. The rock bund cleaning at Siloso beach has commenced since 21 June and the Singapore Civil Defence Force has deployed a Rapid Response Fire Vessel at the affected area to support the cleaning operation. The rock bund cleaning at selected rock bunds at East Coast Park beaches will commence this week and we are working towards the progressive reopening of certain stretches earlier as well. All the beaches on Sentosa remain open.

For biodiversity-sensitive sites, ongoing efforts are underway to monitor longer term impacts to biodiversity.

Even after a beach has been cleaned and re-opened, swimming and water activities can resume only after water quality has gone back to normal and is stable. 

The Government is also closely monitoring the impact of the oil spill on related businesses and affected residents as the situation continues to evolve.

Sentosa Cove is less severely affected, as lockgates were closed promptly, supplemented by absorbent booms since 15 June 2024. Currently, vessel movements within Sentosa Cove have been halted and these efforts have been made to minimise the impact on Cove waterways and canals within residential areas, while awaiting oil deposits on seaward rock bunds to be cleaned. Vessel movements would be allowed to resume when lockgates are safe to open.

MPA will also start to transfer remaining oil left on board bunker vessel Marine Honour, which was hit and damaged during the 14 June incident. 

The damaged Marine Honour which spilled the oil on 14 June is currently anchored off the western petroleum anchorage. 

“The remaining fuel oil onboard from the ruptured cargo tank and its full contents onboard the vessel must be emptied before it can be towed into the shipyard for its repair,” the authorities said.

“Aside from the containment booms laid around the vessel, a 35-tonnes oil load Current Buster system is on station to respond to any potential leaks in the lightering process to transfer the MARINE HONOUR oil to another vessel.”

Note: The full statement by Singapore authorities can be found here

Related: Malaysia to look into demands of Johor fisherman affected by oil spill from Singapore
Related: MPA: Owner of bunker tanker involved in Singapore oil spill is liable for pollution damage
Related: Singapore: Allision between dredger and bunker tanker was not caused by port congestion, says Transport Minister
Related: Singapore: Oil spill cleanup after allision between dredger “Vox Maxima” and bunker tanker “Marine Honour”

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 25 June, 2024

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Alternative Fuels

Report: €40 billion needed for EU shipping’s energy transition

Building a supply chain for clean fuels in Europe is a priority for the industry to meet its decarbonisation targets and for Europe to achieve its climate targets, say stakeholders.

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Clean Maritime Fuels Platform

Clean Maritime Fuels Platform on Thursday (7 November) called on policymakers to create the regulatory conditions to unlock investments in the production of clean maritime fuels in the EU.

The Draghi Report estimates that €40 billion in annual investments will be needed between 2031 and 2050 for the energy transition of shipping.

Building a supply chain for clean fuels in Europe is a priority for the industry to meet its decarbonisation targets and for Europe to achieve its climate targets.

Clean Maritime Fuels Platform supports the report’s conclusions regarding the need to:

  • De-risk investments in renewable and low carbon fuels, for example via schemes based on Contracts for Difference and auctions as a service.
  • Launch dedicated sectoral calls under the Innovation Fund for the first deployment of decarbonisation solutions. The 20 million EU ETS allowances allocated to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector until 2030 should be used as soon as possible.
  • Expand existing funding mechanisms for refuelling and recharging infrastructure.
  • Start building a supply chain for renewable and low-carbon fuels in the EU.

European manufacturing capacity should match demand for clean shipping fuels in Europe as much as possible, in line with the benchmark of the Net-Zero Industry Act.

“The Draghi Report has recognised the global leadership of European shipping and the need to remain internationally competitive. In order to meet our targets, we need clean fuels available in the market in sufficient quantities and at an affordable price. To ensure that the shipping energy transition happen, the EU should de-risk investment in renewable and low carbon fuels and start building a supply chain for renewable and low-carbon fuels in the EU. Moreover, existing funding mechanisms for refuelling infrastructure should be expanded to better ensure the security of supply of clean fuels for shipping”, said Sotiris Raptis, ECSA Secretary General.

"Mr. Draghi’s report acknowledges the strategic role of renewable and low-carbon fuels, particularly in decarbonising all transport modes. His report highlights the EU's leadership in this area and calls for a truly technology-neutral approach. We, European Fuel Manufacturers, believe the right EU policy framework and subsidies can create a robust business case to attract private investments and avoid de-industrialization, help the EU successfully deliver climate neutrality by 2050, ensure a secure supply of energy, and foster innovative, EU-based, globally competitive industry for the welfare of EU economies and citizens", stated Liana Gouta, Director General of FuelsEurope.

“By linking the FuelEU Maritime with the supply mandates of the Renewable Energy Directive and abolishing stringent eligibility criteria, we can gradually increase eFuel capacities in the maritime sector.”, said Ralf Diemer, Managing Director of the eFuel Alliance.

“The following decade will lead to a fundamental shift in the European maritime fuel supply structure owing to the introduction of new regulations. The Draghi report places renewable and low-carbon fuels at the forefront of decarbonisation for the hard-to-abate maritime sector, and our industry is fully ready to support European shipowners to achieve this transition in a sustainable and cost-efficient way”, said Angel Alvarez Alberdi, Secretary General of EWABA.

“It is crucial to create a fertile environment for companies to invest in the production of competitive clean shipping fuels in Europe. Building on the Net-Zero Industry Act and the recommendations of the Draghi report, policymakers need to focus on to the importance of building a robust European supply chain for hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives in the maritime sector”, said Daniel Fraile, Chief Policy Officer of Hydrogen Europe.

“In the spirit of the Draghi-report, and for stimulating public and private investments, the EU should ensure that its regulations are in line with global developments, also in the maritime domain and notably with the IMO”, said R. Tim Eestermans, Managing Director Europe, Methanol Institute.

 

Photo credit: Clean Maritime Fuels Platform
Published: 11 November 2024

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Alternative Fuels

New agreements inked to advance marine electrification in Singapore

Lita Ocean, SeaTech Solutions, Pascal Technologies, and Evoy will develop a fully electric passenger harbour craft, specifically for Singapore, while Yinson GreenTech and Evoy will develop electric vessels.

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New agreements inked to advance marine electrification in Singapore

Innovation Norway and Team Norway on Wednesday (6 November) announced two agreements aimed at advancing sustainable maritime solutions, signed at the Singapore Norway Innovation Conference (SNIC) 2024.

The first agreement—a Letter of Intent (LOI)—was signed by Lita Ocean Pte Ltd, SeaTech Solutions International (S) Pte Ltd, Pascal Technologies AS, and Evoy AS, to develop a fully electric high-speed harbour craft specifically designed for Singapore’s maritime landscape. The second agreement—a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)—was signed between Yinson GreenTech and Evoy, aiming to foster collaboration in marine electrification across Asia. 

The LOI signed between Lita Ocean, SeaTech Solutions, Pascal Technologies, and Evoy marks a key milestone in Singapore’s ongoing efforts to decarbonize its maritime industry. 

The project will develop a fully electric passenger harbour craft, integrating cutting-edge technologies like advanced electric propulsion and air lubrication systems to maximise energy efficiency and performance. This new vessel will set new standards for sustainable harbour operations and support Singapore’s green transformation goals in maritime transportation. 

Evoy sign MOU in Norway Singapore agreement 02

The collaboration builds on previous advancements in electric harbour crafts in Singapore, positioning the project as a critical step toward achieving maritime decarbonisation and a cleaner, greener future for the region. 

Additionally, Yinson GreenTech and Evoy have signed an MoU that will combine their strengths to drive marine electrification in the region. Yinson GreenTech’s electrification solutions, paired with Evoy’s electric propulsion systems, will support the conversion of internal combustion engine (ICE) vessels to electric power and foster the development of new electric vessels. 

This partnership is aimed at advancing the transition to a more sustainable maritime industry, with the shared goal of exploring new opportunities, collaborating on upcoming projects, and playing a key role in the broader transition to greener shipping solutions in Asia. 

The MoU was signed by Jan-Viggo Johansen, Managing Director of marinEV at Yinson GreenTech, and Mads Roland-Glimsholt, Business Development Manager at Evoy. 

“As a proud partner in this Norway-Singapore initiative, Evoy is excited to bring our high-performance electric propulsion systems to Singapore’s maritime landscape. We are committed to setting new standards in sustainable harbour craft and working with our partners to support a greener future in maritime transport” Mads Roland-Glimsholt, Business Development Manager at Evoy. 

 

Photo credit: Evoy
Published: 8 November, 2024

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Alternative Fuels

ExxonMobil supplies Hapag-Lloyd with B25 bio bunker fuel blend in Antwerp

Firm supplied Hapag-Lloyd vessel “Colorado Express” with 1,320 mt of B25 bio marine fuel blend, which consisted of ExxonMobil’s Premium HDME 50™ fuel and waste-based FAME derived from UCOME.

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Hapag-Lloyd

ExxonMobil on Thursday (7 November) said it supplied Hapag-Lloyd’s vessel Colorado Express with 1,320 metric tonnes (mt) of a B25 bio marine fuel blend in Antwerp. 

The blend consisted of ExxonMobil’s Premium HDME 50™ fuel, a 0.10% sulphur Emission Control Area (ECA) fuel, and waste-based fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) derived from used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME).

“The ‘drop-in’ blend met the requirements of ISO 8217:2017 with the exception of the FAME component. The FAME content complied with EN 14214,” ExxonMobil said in a statement.

“The bio component was made material certified as meeting the sustainability requirements of the RED II: feedstocks not in competition with land for food production.”

ExxonMobil’s bio marine fuel blend underwent a range of tests prior to delivery in Antwerp. 

The blend offered an estimated 20.1% well-to-wake greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction compared with conventional marine fuel formulations on an energy basis.

“Hapag-Lloyd aims at having net-zero carbon fleet operations by 2045. As part of that commitment, we are continuously looking for opportunities to onboard new bio blends in our fuels mix. We appreciate ExxonMobil’s efforts to supply us with a bio blend with ULSFO, which is another step forward in our decarbonisation journey,” said Ilyas Muhammad, Head of Green Fuels at Hapag-Lloyd. 

“We successfully bunkered bio-ULSFO blend at our Colorado Express and so far our operational experience with this product is positive. We look forward to increasing bio-ULSFO consumption in the future,” said Nikolai Doerner, Senior Manager Biofuels at Hapag-Lloyd.

The Colorado Express used the bio marine fuel blend without incident; both NOx and particulate emissions were within accepted limits.

“ExxonMobil is looking for ways to support our customers [to] reduce their GHG emissions,” said Pelin Gillis, Marine Fuels Sales Manager, BNL, ExxonMobil. “We are proud to have helped Hapag-Lloyd on their journey to a lower GHG emissions future.”

“ExxonMobil has greatly extended its range of ‘drop-in’ bio marine fuel blends,” said Armelle Breneol, Marine Fuels Technical Advisor, ExxonMobil. 

“We now offer a B25 ULSFO, a B30 VLSFO, a B7 MGO and a B10 HSFO. This will help our customers access the blend they need to meet their engine operations and GHG emission reduction goals.”

 

Photo credit: Hapag-Lloyd
Published: 8 November, 2024

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