Singapore-registered bunker tankers can transport up to B30 biofuels from 7 March

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Thursday (6 March) issued Port Marine Circular No. 1 of 2025 regarding a draft Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) circular on biofuels which sets out conventional bunker ships may transport blends of not more than 30% by volume of biofuel (≤B30):

INTERIM GUIDANCE ON THE CARRIAGE OF BLENDS OF BIOFUELS AND MARPOL ANNEX I CARGOES BY CONVENTIONAL BUNKER SHIPS AS AGREED BY 12th SESSION OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON POLLUTION PREVENTION AND RESPONSE (PPR 12)

This circular draws your attention to the draft MEPC circular on the Interim guidance on the carriage of blends of biofuels and MARPOL Annex I cargoes by conventional bunker ships agreed by 12th Session of the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 12)

The draft MEPC circular is to be deliberated for approval by the 83rd session of Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83).

The draft MEPC circular sets out that conventional bunker ships may transport blends of not more than 30% by volume of biofuel (≤B30) as long as all residues or tank washings are discharged ashore unless the oil discharge monitoring equipment (ODME) is approved for the biofuel blend(s) being shipped while pending further development of carriage requirements on biofuels for conventional bunker ships certified for carriage of oil fuels under MARPOL Annex I or the revision of the current carriage requirements as provided in the IBC Code and circular MSCMEPC.2/Circ.17.

Various pilots have been undertaken by industry and MPA in Singapore. MPA has participated actively in the draft MEPC circular on the Interim guidance on the carriage of blends of biofuels and MARPOL Annex I cargoes by conventional bunker ships as agreed by PPR 12. MPA accepts this draft for early implementation on board Singapore registered conventional bunker ships with effect from 07 March 2025 onwards. There is no requirement to seek MPA’s separate approval.

Shipowners, ship managers, operators and masters of Singapore-registered conventional bunker ships are hereby reminded to comply with the draft MEPC circular and to obtain approval from the competent Port State Authority before calling at a foreign port for operations with blends containing more than 25% but not more than 30% by volume of biofuel (>B25 to ≤B30) onboard.

For the use of marine biofuels above B30 or biofuels not listed in chapters 17 and 18 of the IBC code or the MEPC.2/Circ.27 (Annex 11), bunker suppliers and bunker craft operators are required to seek approval from MPA’s Standards & Investigation – Marine Fuels (SIMF) department prior to these pilots and delivery to shipowners, ship managers and operators. Pilots for up to B100 are on-going, and vessels can engage in these pilots to test the efficacy and procedures.

Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to MPA Shipping Division via email at [email protected].

Related: DNV: IMO to review circular on bunker tankers carrying biofuel blends up to B30

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 6 March, 2025