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

12 months ago

May 31, 2024

Admin

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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Biofuel

NYK to launch Japan’s first antioxidant for biodiesel bunker fuel in August

When added to biofuel, BioxiGuard slows progression of oxidative degradation and helps deter issues such as metal corrosion, strainer blockage, and cleaning-system fouling often triggered by oxidised fuel.

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May 22, 2025

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Japan’s first antioxidant by NYK for biodiesel bunker fuel set to release in August

Nippon Yuka Kogyo (Nippon Yuka), an NYK Group company specialising in chemical R&D as well as the manufacture and sale of chemical products, on Wednesday (21 May) announced the upcoming release of BioxiGuard, the Japan’s first antioxidant specially developed for marine biodiesel, from 10 August.

NYK said compared with conventional petroleum-based fuels, biofuel contains a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, making it more susceptible to oxidative degradation. Once oxidised, the biofuel can produce acidic substances and sludge, adversely affecting vessel fuel efficiency by reducing the fuel’s calorific value.

Developed by Nippon Yuka based on property analyses of the biofuel used in NYK-operated vessels, BioxiGuard is specifically formulated to enhance the oxidation stability of biodiesel. When added to biofuel, BioxiGuard slows the progression of oxidative degradation and helps deter issues such as metal corrosion, strainer blockage, and cleaning-system fouling often triggered by oxidised fuel.

According to laboratory tests conducted by Nippon Yuka researchers, the addition of BioxiGuard at a concentration of 1 part per 500 resulted in an approximate 50% reduction in the rate of biofuel degradation compared to untreated biofuel.

This significant improvement underscores the potential for vessel operators to not only extend the useful life of biofuel on board but also maintain more stable and cost-effective vessel operations.

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 22 May, 2025

Newbuilding

Höegh Autoliners latest LNG dual-fuel PCTC en route to Shanghai for bunkering

The 9,100 CEU “Höegh Sunrise”, currently sailing the seas, is on its way to Shanghai for bunkering before sailing to Japan and then towards Europe.

Published

17 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Admin

Höegh Autoliners latest LNG dual-fuel PCTC en route to Shanghai for bunkering

Höegh Autoliners on Tuesday (20 May) said its latest liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel pure car and truck carrier has departed China Merchants Heavy Industry’s yard, ready to commence its commercial operations.

The 9,100 CEU Höegh Sunrise, currently sailing the seas, is on its way to Shanghai for bunkering before sailing to Japan and then towards Europe.

The PCTC is the fifth in a series of 12 Aurora Class vessels built by the shipyard in China. The first eight Auroras are or will be equipped with engines primed to run on LNG and low-sulphur oil.

These vessels can be converted to run on ammonia later. By 2027, Höegh Autoliners said the four last vessels of the series will be able to run net zero on ammonia directly from the yard when delivered.

Manifold Times previously reported the naming ceremony of Höegh Autoliner’s fourth Aurora Class newbuild, Höegh Sunlight, at Taicang Haitong Auto Terminal.

Photo credit: Höegh Autoliners
Published: 22 May, 2025

Alternative Fuels

UECC: Liquefied biomethane bunker fuel to enable compliance surplus under FuelEU

Company says bunkering liquefied biomethane will give it a significant compliance surplus under FuelEU that can be monetised through the regulation’s pooling mechanism.

Published

17 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Admin

UECC: Liquefied biomethane bunker fuel to enable compliance surplus under FuelEU

United European Car Carriers (UECC) on Monday (19 May) said bunkering liquefied biomethane (LBM), also known as bio-LNG, will give it a significant compliance surplus under FuelEU that can be monetised through the regulation’s pooling mechanism.

UECC’s Senior Manager of Business Planning & Sustainability, Masanori Nagashima, said bio-LNG is now seen by the company as the key fuel to achieve its target of a 45% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030 versus a 2014 baseline and net zero by 2040 – ahead of the 2050 deadline set by both the IMO and EU.

The marine fuel is being bunkered on UECC’s dual and multi-fuel LNG PCTCs – three of which have battery hybrid capability – under Sail for Change that was launched by UECC last year and currently has participation by automotive giants including Toyota, Ford and JLR.

The company also has on order two multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid newbuild PCTCs due for delivery in 2028 that could be enlisted into the programme.

The overall carbon intensity of the UECC fleet, using the same gCO2e/MJ (grams of CO2 equivalent per megajoule) metric as FuelEU, is calculated at 68 gCO2e/MJ to achieve an interim target of a 25% carbon intensity reduction in 2025, though the company is expected to achieve 57 gCO2e/MJ this year based on its supply plan, according to Nagashima.

This is significantly below the current FuelEU threshold of 89.3 gCO2e/MJ – a 2% reduction from the baseline of 91.16 gCO2e/MJ – and still lower than the threshold of 77.9 gCO2e/MJ from 2035 that is a 14.5% reduction versus the baseline figure.

“The low carbon intensity of our fleet means all of our vessels are expected to gain a C rating or above with the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII)” Nagashima explained.

“It also gives us a significant compliance surplus under FuelEU that can be monetised through the regulation’s pooling mechanism, allowing a great commercial opportunity to offset regulatory costs for customers and eliminate FuelEU surcharges.”

“UECC will continue to accelerate its progress in improving decarbonisation of its fleet by further optimising our fuel mix strategy going forward to incorporate more high-impact fuels as these become viable.”

Photo credit: Titan Clean Fuels
Published: 22 May, 2025