Alternative Fuels

Singapore signs MoUs with China partners to advance maritime collaboration

One of the MoUs was with CCS to explore collaborations to reduce GHG emission through use of zero or near-zero emission bunker fuels and marine battery technology, amongst others.

Published

1 year ago

September 27, 2023

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (26 September) said it has signed three Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with regional maritime administrations and partners in China to advance collaboration on digitalisation, decarbonisation, talent development, and information exchange.

The MoUs were signed at the Port Authorities Roundtable 2023 hosted in Shanghai and at the sidelines of 3rd Global Sustainability Transport Forum in Beijing.

MPA-China Classification Society

MPA signed an MoU with the China Classification Society (CCS) on 25 September 2023 on the sidelines of Global Sustainability Transport Forum in Beijing at the CCS Conference of Green and Intelligent Technologies for a Sustainable Shipping Industry. The MoU was signed by Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA and Mr Sun Feng, Chairman and President of CCS.

Under the MoU, MPA and CCS will explore collaborations to reduce greenhouse gas emission through the use of zero or near-zero emission bunker fuels and marine battery technology; co-innovate smart ships technologies with researchers, industry, and maritime startups through platforms such as PIER71™; and support the development of maritime talent and training through maritime scholarship programme and internship opportunities. Headquartered in Beijing, CCS is a full member of the International Association of Classifications Societies with over 120 offices worldwide.

MPA-Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission

The MoU between MPA and the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission was announced on 22 September 2023 at the North Bund Forum in Shanghai, and signed on 24 September 2023 at the Port Authorities Roundtable 2023. The MoU was signed by Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, and Mr Yu Fulin, Director General of Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission.

The MoU aims to strengthen port and maritime ties between two of the world’s largest ports to foster mutual learning through information exchange on port and shipping developments, maritime policies and regulations, as well as training and research. The MoU also aims to co-develop digitalisation and decarbonisation solutions for shipping and port development. Given its role in the development of the Yangtze River delta, Shanghai is also one of China’s key transshipment centres.

MPA-Tianjin Port and Shipping Authority

An MoU between MPA and Tianjin Port and Shipping Authority (TPSA) was signed on 26 September 2023 on the sidelines of 3rd Global Sustainability Transport Forum. The MoU was signed by Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, and Mr Wang Honghai, Director General of TPSA.

Under the MoU, MPA and TPSA will discuss issues relating to maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation; exchange information and experiences on development on shipping and regulatory framework, port developments, and maritime training; and facilitate maritime talent exchanges and collaborative opportunities in areas such as maritime research and development.

Located in the Bohai Bay Rim Region, Tianjin Port is one of the largest ports in Northern China and one of the fastest growing Chinese ports in terms of annual container throughput.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 27 September, 2023

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Alternative Fuels

Argus Green Marine Fuels Asia eBook released ahead of February bunker conference

eBook features interviews with Microsoft, JERA, IBIA, Anglo American, Sumitomo Corporation, Hafnia, BHP, Global Maritime Forum, DS NORDEN, ADNOC Group, and Standard Chartered Bank.

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

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Argus Media organises Green Marine Fuels Asia Conference in Singapore

Independent global energy and commodity market intelligence provider Argus Media recently published an eBook as part of a prelude leading towards the Argus Green Marine Fuels Asia Conference on 18 to 19 February in Singapore.

The Pre-conference content: Argus marine fuels Asia eBook features exclusive industry interviews with Microsoft, JERA, IBIA, Anglo American, Sumitomo Corporation, Hafnia, BHP, Global Maritime Forum, DS NORDEN, ADNOC Group, and Standard Chartered Bank.

It offers a peek into their thoughts on infrastructure readiness, the marine fuels shipowners are gravitating towards, LNG decarbonisation pathways, collaboration across the marine fuels value chain, and more.

The eBook is available for download through the image below:

The Argus Green Marine Fuels Asia Conference will be held at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594 on 18 to 19 February in Singapore.

Key speakers for the event include Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA); Torben Nørgaard, Chief Technology Officer - Energy & Fuels, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center; Jerid Soo, Assistant General Manager (Global Sustainability and ESG), Pacific International Lines; Kazuki Yamaguchi, General Manager and Head, Maritime Energy Solution, Energy Transformation Business Group, Sumitomo Corporation; and Mahua Chakravarty, Editor, Marine Fuels (Asia), Argus.

Photo credit: Argus Media
Published: 17 January, 2024

Biofuel

Burando Energies delivers B30 bio bunker fuel to tug “MV Bylgia” in Rotterdam

Firm said it successfully delivered ISCC-certified B30 biofuel blend, derived from renewable feedstocks, to Heerema’s Anchor Handling Tug “MV Bylgia” at Port of Rotterdam.

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

Admin

Burando Energies delivers B30 bio bunker fuel to tug “MV Bylgia” in Rotterdam

Burando Energies on Thursday (16 January) announced it successfully delivered ISCC-certified biofuel to Heerema’s Anchor Handling Tug MV Bylgia at the Port of Rotterdam.

The delivered B30 biofuel blend, derived from renewable feedstocks, will help reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 25% (well-to-wake)—an impactful move in Heerema’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

“This delivery not only reflects our commitment to offering sustainable energy solutions but also strengthens our partnership with Heerema in their green ambitions,” said Duncan Huisman, Sustainable Bunker Trader at Burando Energies.

“We are proud to contribute to initiatives that prioritise the well-being of our planet and future generations.”

Burando Energies said it will continue to focus on innovation and sustainability, striving to provide energy solutions that drive both environmental progress and business success.

Photo credit: Burando Energies
Published: 17 January, 2025

Biofuel

DNV whitepaper: Limited supply could hamper future uptake of bio bunker fuel

Long-term future of the maritime biofuel market hinges on the availability of sustainable biomass at an affordable level, as well as competition with other sectors, says Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO Maritime.

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

Admin

Key biofuels like FAME and HVO have great potential for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and supporting compliance with maritime regulations, but their benefits to the industry could be constrained by limited supply in the future, according to DNV’s latest white paper Biofuels in Shipping, published on Thursday (16 January).

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO Maritime at DNV, said: “Biofuels present a promising decarbonization option for shipowners, and it's encouraging to see steady growth in the number of bunkering ports offering biofuels in recent years.”

“However, the long-term future of the maritime biofuel market hinges on the availability of sustainable biomass at an affordable level, as well as competition with other sectors.”

“Shipowners should, therefore, aim to explore energy efficiency measures and alternative fuels as part of their wider decarbonization strategies, while utilizing biofuels where they are available and affordable.”

In 2023, the maritime sector consumed just 0.7 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of liquid biofuels, representing a mere 0.6% of global liquid biofuel supply and 0.3% of shipping’s total energy use, highlighting the limited uptake of biofuels in shipping today compared to other sectors.

Despite this, biofuel holds significant potential for reducing GHG emissions and achieving compliance with regulatory frameworks, such as CII, EU ETS, and FuelEU Maritime. To realise these benefits, the biofuels used must meet stringent sustainability and GHG savings requirements, verified through a Proof of Sustainability (PoS) or similar document.

Drawing on in-depth interviews and written surveys of eight biofuel suppliers and 12 shipping companies, the paper identified more than 60 locations which have already been proven to have carried out biofuel bunkering operations since 2015. The report estimates that the ports of Singapore and Rotterdam accounted for about half of all biofuels supply to shipping in 2023.

The majority of biofuel consumption in shipping occurs through fuel blends, combining biofuels like FAME and HVO, the most established biofuels for maritime use, with conventional oil-based fuels.

The DNV white paper contains an overview of the main technical and operational considerations for use of biofuel as a ‘drop-in’ fuel. This includes key recommendations to shipowners such as verifying fuel quality, compatibility with onboard systems, and monitoring performance.

Øyvind Sekkesæter, Consultant in Maritime Environmental Technology at DNV and Lead Author of Biofuels in Shipping, said: “The technical compatibility of key marine biofuels like FAME and HVO varies from ship to ship, making it essential to assess each case individually.”

“Doing so will ensure that the fuel specification and quality are compatible with their intended application, minimizing the risk of damage to equipment and loss of power onboard the vessel.”

Note: The full DNV report titled ‘Biofuels in Shipping’ can be found here.

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 17 January, 2025