Alternative Fuels

Singapore: Smart Port Challenge 2024 aims to attract wider audience of global start-ups

Competition features 14 challenge statements covering areas such as maritime green technologies, including some related to the bunker fuel sector including on methanol and ammonia.

Published

7 months ago

May 31, 2024

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Singapore: Smart Port Challenge 2024 aims to attract wider audience of global start-ups

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS), on Thursday (30 May) launched the Smart Port Challenge (SPC) 2024.

The annual event to attract start-ups with innovative technology-driven solutions to help address the industry’s key challenges, was held during the InnovFest x Elevating Founders 2024, the official start-up event of Asia Tech x Singapore.

Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment launched SPC24 at the event attended by more than 200 international start-ups, venture capitalists, corporations, and participants. Please refer to Annex A for the SPC2024 launch programme.

Organised by PIER71™1 , SPC2024 will for the first time concurrently launch in Singapore and several overseas partner markets. PIER71™ will leverage the extensive network of BLOCK71 and MPA’s new regional offices and organise six international roadshows in key maritime hubs across Asia, Europe, and North America in June 2024, to attract a wider audience of global start-ups, innovators, and venture capitalists to participate in SPC.

Apart from forging new networks and partnerships, the roadshows aim to create greater awareness of the vibrant technology and innovation ecosystem, and investment opportunities in Singapore. PIER71™ also hopes to encourage overseas start-ups to incubate and develop their cutting-edge technologies and solutions in Singapore.

Launch of Smart Port Challenge 2024

SPC2024 unveiled 14 challenge statements focusing on four key areas: maritime green technologies; smart shipping; next generation ports; and digitalisation, which includes artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud technologies. These challenge statements reflect the key issues facing the global maritime industry and the diverse opportunities that start-ups can participate in to shape its future.

Some of the bunker-related challenge statements include improving crew safety in handling methanol as a marine fuel, managing ammonia risk and enhancing charging and battery performance.

Shortlisted start-ups will undergo a 12-week PIER71™ Accelerate programme and may be eligible for MPA Maritime Innovation and Technology (MINT) grant funding of up to SGD 100,000 for proof-of-concept or pilot projects, and up to SGD 250,000 for new product development. They will also receive support through PIER71™’s global network of partners. The top three winners for SPC2024 will be awarded with cash prizes at the finals in November 2024. Start-ups interested in participating in SPC2024 can find more information and submit proposals through PIER71™’s website at https://pier71.sg. The deadline for submission is 8 July 2024.

Five Start-ups Awarded MINT Grants

At the event, MPA awarded five outstanding maritime technology (MarineTech) start-ups which participated in SPC2023, with grants totalling SGD 250,000 from the Maritime Innovation and Technology (MINT) Fund. The number of start-ups under PIER71™ has grown from 17 in 2018 when PIER71™ was launched, to more than 100 today. MPA will continue to work with its partners to reach the goal of 150 MarineTech start-ups in Singapore by 2025.

The grants will support the five start-ups in developing prototypes and solutions, including a platform for optimisation, evaluation and verification of biofuel blends, a mobile platform for real-time vessel activity monitoring in port, a cybersecurity solution for networks on board a vessel, a digital tool for enhanced ship inspection and auditing, and a digital twin for container depot operations.

Mr Kenneth Lim, MPA’s Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation), said: “The PIER71™ Smart Port Challenge continued to be a relevant platform for innovation in the maritime sector.”

“By attracting diverse solutions from start-ups, SPC promotes innovation and helps accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies through collaboration with the industry.”

“I am excited about the international roadshows for SPC2024 and look forward seeing more novel solutions to address the industry’s challenges.”

Professor Chen Tsuhan, NUS Deputy President (Innovation and Enterprise), said: “Our collaboration with MPA will further broaden the impact within the growing maritime innovation ecosystem in Singapore and beyond.”

“By leveraging NUS’ robust resources and talent, along with our extensive global BLOCK71 network, we are committed to nurturing an environment that supports start-ups and innovators from all over the world, whether they are establishing themselves in Singapore or expanding overseas.”

“With the support of MPA's regional directors worldwide, this partnership extends valuable resources and growth opportunities to maritime talents and start-ups, driving innovation and leaving a lasting impact on the maritime industry.”

Note: Annex B on the challenge statements and Annex C on the recipients of Maritime Innovation and Technology (MINT) Grant can be viewed here.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 31 May 2024

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: MPA launches EOI to expand LNG bunkering services amid growing demand

MPA is seeking proposals to explore scalable solutions for sea-based LNG reloading to complement existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and e/bio-methane supply as a marine fuel.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to explore scalable solutions for sea-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) reloading to complement the existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and the supply of e/bio-methane as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore.

MPA said LNG bunkering in Singapore has grown from 16,000 tonnes delivered in 2022 to over 385,000 tonnes delivered from January to October 2024.

According to the EOI, demand for LNG bunkering is expected to grow further with a growing global fleet of LNG dual-fuelled vessels and competitive LNG bunker prices.

“The EOI seeks to gather proposals on three areas: to scale up sea-based reloading operations, including ship-to-bunker barge LNG operations; to facilitate the supply of LNG alternatives such as liquefied bio-methane; and to develop floating platform concepts to enhance bunkering safety and efficiency,” MPA added.

“The EOI proposals should also include mitigation measures to address the issue of methane slip on a well-to-wake basis.”

Participants in the EOI do not need to be an existing LNG bunkering licensee. Participants are required to propose models for operationalising sea-based LNG reloading starting from 2025. Participants selected will be required to conduct trials in Singapore to validate the proposed solution’s operational feasibility and safety.

“Insights gained from the EOI and trials will inform MPA’s review of the LNG licensing framework, including enhancements to supply to better serve the industry’s bunkering needs,” it said.

Note: Interested parties can visit the MPA website for details and submission guidelines. Proposals must be submitted by 28 February 2025, 1pm (Singapore time).

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 13 December, 2024

LNG Bunkering

Wärtsilä wins LNG systems order for Vitol bunkering newbuild vessel

Firm will supply cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel currently being built at Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

Wärtsilä wins LNG systems order for Vitol bunkering newbuild vessel

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, on Friday (13 December) said it has won a contract to supply Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel.

The vessel is being built at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China, for global energy company Vitol.

“Wärtsilä’s ability to engineer, design and deliver a complete system, including the Boil-Off Gas (BOG) management, integrated fuel supply, custody transfer and bunkering transfer systems, was central to the contract award,” Wärtsilä said, adding the order was booked by the company in Q4, 2024.

Richie Zhu, Sales Manager, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, China, said: “LNG is today an important marine fuel and is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for owners and operators seeking more sustainable fuel options. The market for LNG bunkering vessels is increasing in line with this trend, and we have established a leading position in supplying modern and reliable systems that optimise overall cargo handling efficiency for such vessels.”

Manifold Times previously reported Vitol securing three LNG Bunkering Vessels (LNGBV) through its shipping company, Vitol International Shipping Pte Ltd (VIS).

The vessels were secured via a seven to ten year time charter agreement with Avenir LNG Limited (Avenir) and an order for two vessels at the CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. Ltd shipyard in Nantong, China.

The time charter agreement with Avenir is for one newbuild 20,000 m3 LNGBV. The time charter will commence at delivery from the shipyard in China in Q4 2026 and will serve a period of seven years with options to extend up to ten years in total.

Vitol also ordered one 12,500 m3 and one 20,000 m3 LNGBV at the CIMC SOE shipyard in China. The vessels will be delivered in Q4 2026 and Q3 2027 respectively.

Photo credit: Wärtsilä
Published: 13 December, 2024

Newbuilding

UECC deploys LNG dual-fuel newbuild “Blue Aspire” on key European route

Vessel is set to boost vessel capacity on its key European North-South trading network from mid-December this year after recent delivery from CIMC Raffles Offshore Engineering.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

UECC deploys LNG dual-fuel newbuild “Blue Aspire” on key European route

United European Car Carriers (UECC) on Wednesday (11 December) said it has further expanded its fleet of eco-friendly car carriers with the addition of the dual-fuel LNG newbuild Blue Aspire.

The vessel is set to boost vessel capacity on its key European North-South trading network from mid-December this year after recent delivery from a Chinese shipyard.

The 200-metre long Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), delivered from CIMC Raffles Offshore Engineering, has capacity for nearly 7000 vehicles on 12 cargo decks.

UECC will operate the vessel together with another five vessels on a route between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, traversing the Turkish ports of Yenikoy and Autoport, the German port of Cuxhaven, and Zeebrugge, Belgium every 4.5 days.

“Deployment of the Blue Aspire will boost tremendously capacity and sailing frequency on this busy trade route, currently serviced by five vessels, while further enhancing the sustainability of the UECC fleet,” said the company’s COO Per Christian Mørk.

The latest fleet addition will increase to six the number of UECC-operated vessels plying the North-South network, taking in a total of 10 ports on two routes, after the recent deployment of the renamed Auto Way that was acquired by UECC’s joint owner Wallenius Lines from Höegh Autoliners earlier this year.

It will also boost the size of UECC’s owned and chartered fleet to 15 PCTCs, including five dual and multi-fuel LNG vessels - three with battery hybrid capability - delivered in the past decade, with another two multi-fuel LNG newbuilds currently on order that are set for delivery in 2028 and options for two similar units.

“We are expanding our fleet with greater capacity and cargo-carrying flexibility to provide a more efficient service for clients in response to increasing demand as we see longer-term growth potential in this market,” Mørk explained.

Mørk said sustainability is now a key priority in procurement of maritime transport services to meet the environmental goals of vehicle manufacturers amid new green regulations - including FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS - that provide a commercial incentive to reduce the cost of GHG emissions.

“UECC is catering to this market requirement with an eco-friendly fleet geared to minimizing the environmental footprint of vessel operations with progressive reductions in carbon intensity, in line with regulation, through adoption of energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuels,” he says.

Mørk noted that, while LNG can reduce emissions by around 25% compared with conventional fossil fuels, there is potential to greatly enhance environmental performance on LNG-fuelled vessels like Blue Aspire by switching to liquefied biomethane (LBM) that offers net-zero potential.

UECC is now increasing application of the latter fuel on its dual-fuel LNG PCTCs after recently securing an LBM supply agreement with Titan Clean Fuels that is forecast to cut its overall fleet emissions by 75,000 tons in 2025.

“The Blue Aspire therefore represents a valuable addition to the UECC fleet that underpins our market commitment to sustainability, while contributing to decarbonization of shipping,” Mørk concludes.

Photo credit: United European Car Carriers
Published: 13 December, 2024