Environment
Singapore to further digitise bunkering sector after successful use of MFM technology, says MPA
Implementation of MFM has enhanced transparency in the bunker supply chain, thereby increasing the preference of shipowners to purchase bunkers in Singapore.

Published
3 years agoon
By
Admin
The following interview arranged by Informa Connect is part of post-event coverage for Singapore Maritime Technology Conference 2021 (SMTC 2021), where Manifold Times is an official media partner.
Singapore’s bunkering sector has benefited much from the use of technology and will continue to further invest in digitalisation, says the Senior Director (Operations & Marine Services) at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
Captain Daknash Ganasen was in an interview with Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times when he shared the adoption of mass flowmeter (MFM) technology for bunkering has tremendously benefited the local marine refuelling sector.
“According to a study by the Standards Development Organisation @ Singapore Chemical Industry Council Ltd (SDO@SCIC), the implementation of MFM at the Port of Singapore has the potential to save the industry SGD 80 million and SGD 199 million a year,” he said.
“These savings respectively stem from a reduction in the number of disputes and the time taken to resolve the disputes that still arise. There are also cost savings from bunkering operations.”
Captain Daknash also notes Singapore bunker suppliers have observed enhanced bunker schedule management since the implementation of MFMs for bunkering due to faster and more predictable turnaround in marine refuelling transactions.
Additionally, shipowners reflected that inventory management has improved given the increased certainty in the quantity of bunker received.
“Overall, MPA’s implementation of MFM has enhanced transparency in the bunker supply chain, thereby increasing the preference of shipowners to purchase bunker in Singapore,” he states.
Moving forward, Captain Daknash says the MPA has recently launched a digitalisation plan for the bunkering sector in an effort to further raise productivity and enhance confidence in Singapore’s bunkering industry for shipowners.
“This includes the development of digitalBunker@SG, which is a secure system for bunker companies to automate data submission for regulatory reporting purposes. When implemented, the system is expected to save 1,400 man-days annually for the bunkering sector,” he notes.
“Additionally, MPA’s digitalisation plan for the bunkering sector also initiated a call-for-proposal to partner the industry on projects to digitalise documentation such as bunker delivery notes, and the processes of bunker purchase and delivery.
“An end-to-end and highly digitalised workflow across multiple stakeholders including customers and financial institutions will improve the efficiency and transparency of the bunker supply chain. It will also enhance productivity and reduce human error associated with paper-based documentation used for invoicing and payments.”
Related: SMW 2021: Open call for JIP applications to accelerate digitalisation of bunker sector
The Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2021 took place between 19-23 April 2021; further articles written by media partner Manifold Times as part of SMW 2021 are as follows:
Related: Singapore: Future of Shipping Conference reiterates ‘hands-on-deck’ approach for decarbonisation
Related: SMW 2021: MPA, BW Group, Sembmarine, EPS, ONE, DNV, BHP decarbonisation efforts recognised
Related: SMW 2021: MPA & Partners ink SGD 120 million fund to establish maritime decarbonisation centre
Related: SMW 2021: IAP submits maritime decarbonisation recommendations to Singapore Government
Related: SMW 2021: Shell, MPA & Sembcorp Marine to trial hydrogen fuel cell with RoRo vessel retrofit
Related: SMW 2021: Penguin Shipyard receives Bureau Veritas certification for first hybrid vessel
Related: SMW 2021: Norsepower partners Keppel O&M’s tech arm for global installation of Rotor Sails
Related: SMW 2021: MPA unveils programs to step up Maritime Innovation in Singapore
Related: SMW 2021: Maritime Drone Estate launched as Test Bed for Drone Technologies
Related: SMW 2021: digitalPORT@SGTM Phase 2 launched to reduce carbon footprint at port
Related: SMW 2021 opens with launch of decarbonisation blueprint to realise ‘new frontiers’
Related: SMW 2021: 10 companies celebrated for contributions to Singapore’s maritime industry
Related: SMW 2021: Industry leaders call for maritime to take transformative, collaborative action
Related: SMW 2021: Advanced Maritime program focuses on leadership amidst global crises
Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 3 May, 2021
Shipping Corridor
Singapore, LA and Long Beach unveil Partnership Strategy for Pacific Ocean green and digital shipping corridor
Ports and C40 have commissioned a study to analyse trade flows and vessel traffic between the three locations as well as estimate quantity of near-zero/zero-emission bunker fuels required for this traffic.

Published
7 hours agoon
December 7, 2023By
Admin
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and Port of Long Beach (POLB) on Wednesday (6 December) unveiled a Partnership Strategy for a green and digital shipping corridor (GDSC) across the Pacific Ocean at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference.
The release of the Partnership Strategy follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by MPA, POLA and POLB during Singapore Maritime Week in April 2023. The MoU formalised the partnership, which is supported by C40 Cities, with the aim of establishing a GDSC connecting the three global hub ports.
The scope of cooperation through the Partnership Strategy and success indicators specified within build upon the MoU signed in April 2023 and reaffirm the corridor partners’ commitment to drive global action to digitalise and decarbonise the shipping industry and improve efficiencies.
The GDSC Strategy outlines steps to accelerate decarbonisation of the maritime shipping industry by enabling first mover organisations to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the earliest feasible date, in support of the goals defined by the 2023 International Maritime Organization’s Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships. The ports and C40 will work together and with value-chain stakeholders from the fuel and maritime sectors to:
● Coordinate decarbonisation efforts: GDSC partners will help to catalyse and coordinate efforts to enable ships calling at the Port of Singapore, Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the earliest feasible date.
● Build consensus on green shipping best practices: GDSC partners will seek to establish consensus around green shipping best practices and standards.
● Improve access to and adoption of technology and digital solutions: To enhance supply chain efficiency, resilience and decarbonisation while reducing costs and improving reliability, GDSC partners will work to develop and deploy innovative technology and digital solutions.
● Leverage networks: GDSC partners will work with stakeholders involved in other green shipping initiatives, including those established by the three ports and other parties, to scale the uptake of zero and near-zero emission technologies, fuels and energy sources.
To achieve these aims, a partnership structure and governance mechanism have been developed to provide clarity on the roles and responsibilities of GDSC partners. The strategy also outlines processes for onboarding new participants, financial management, confidentiality and decision-making.
As next steps, the ports and C40 have commissioned a study to analyse trade flows and vessel traffic between Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach. The study will estimate the quantity of near-zero and zero-emission fuels required for this traffic, and guide implementation by identifying opportunities for collaboration to advance the development of the GDSC.
The founding partners will now engage stakeholders from across the shipping and fuel supply value chains that share the GDSC's vision and aims, with the intention of onboarding new corridor participants in 2024.
Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “We are excited to see this partnership grow from strength to strength with the Green and Digital Shipping Corridor Partnership Strategy. We have embarked on evaluating the various digital solutions and zero and near-zero fuels options that could be trialled along the route between Singapore and the San Pedro Bay Port Complex. We look forward to the support of all the corridor stakeholders over the coming months to conduct trials and potentially scale them for wider adoption.”
"This Partnership Strategy document is the foundation upon which we'll build the future of maritime shipping,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “Our success requires the resolve and dedication of the three partnering ports as well as our industry partners. Together, we will model the collaboration necessary to achieve our climate and efficiency goals."
“Over the last two decades, we've learned that collaboration between maritime industry partners is the key to making meaningful progress in reducing emissions and cleaning the air,”Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said. “This trans-Pacific green shipping corridor takes this concept global. The strategies we develop here can be used as a roadmap by a larger network of seaports and supply chain companies to invest in programs, technologies, software and infrastructure to decarbonize international trade everywhere.”
C40 Executive Director Mark Watts, said: "C40 is proud to support our port partners in delivering this Partnership Strategy. The advancement of this Green and Digital Shipping Corridor brings the shipping sector one step closer to a 1.5°C-aligned trajectory. Green shipping is only achievable through collaboration because no one stakeholder can afford to move unless they know others are likely to follow. That’s where C40 is delighted to help, bringing our network of world-leading cities, which include most of the world’s largest and most forward-looking ports."
Note: The Partnership Strategy document can be viewed here.
Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 7 December, 2023
Biofuel
PIL and DP World embark on biofuel bunkering trials at Jebel Ali Port
Both parties will collaborate on trial shipments between Jebel Ali Port in Dubai and destinations within PIL’s network in near term which will include shipments on PIL’s vessels powered by a biofuel blend.

Published
7 hours agoon
December 7, 2023By
Admin
Singapore-based container operator Pacific International Lines (PIL) on Wednesday (6 December) said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DP World, which handles around 10% of the world’s container trade, to jointly develop green solutions to decarbonise global supply chains.
In the near term, both parties will collaborate on trial shipments between Jebel Ali Port in Dubai and destinations within PIL’s network, with initiatives to reduce the shipments’ GHG footprint. This will include shipments on PIL’s vessels powered by a biofuel blend, biofuel bunkering, and deploying container handling equipment at terminals that run on renewable energy to handle the shipments.
Over the longer term, the companies will explore expanding this partnership to include other ports within DP World’s global network, and using other alternative bunker fuels, such as e-LNG, green methanol or green ammonia in PIL’s vessel operations and bunkering.
It was signed by Mr Lars Kastrup, Chief Executive Officer, PIL and Mr Tiemen Meester, Group Chief Operating Officer, Ports & Terminals, DP World, at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), conveying their commitment to combating climate change and the collective goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 or earlier.
Mr Lars Kastrup, Chief Executive Officer, PIL said: “Supply chain resilience and sustainability is the bedrock of global trade growth. With the renewed commitment by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) this year to take a significant step forward to decarbonise the shipping industry, we at PIL are responding actively to IMO’s call and working to invest in and implement green solutions to achieve our target of achieving net zero by 2050. In this regard, we are pleased to have DP World joining us on our sustainability journey. Capitalising on the combined strengths of our two organisations, we can both augment our sustainability efforts as we co-develop solutions to decarbonise our supply chains.”
Mr Tiemen Meester, Group Chief Operating Officer, Ports & Terminals, DP World, said: “Decarbonisation is the single biggest concern for DP World outside the constraints and the physical movement of goods. So, we are transforming our business and the impact global trade has on the climate. We have already committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2040 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. But we must explore partnerships with companies that share our ambitions and technology to be deployed right now for quicker results.”
Photo credit: DP World
Published: 7 December, 2023
LNG Bunkering
DNV awards AiP to China Merchants Jinling Shipyard for world’s largest PCTC design
DNV has awarded an Approval in Principle certificate to China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) for its 11,000-CEU capacity LNG-fuelled PCTC design at Marintec China trade fair.

Published
7 hours agoon
December 7, 2023By
Admin
Classification society DNV on Wednesday (6 December) said it has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) certificate to China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) Co., Ltd. for its 11,000-CEU capacity LNG-fuelled pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) design at the Marintec China trade fair.
Recognized as the world's largest PCTC, the 234m long and 40m wide ship will have 14 decks allowing 11,000 car equivalent units (CEUs) to be stored simultaneously, which not only increases efficiency but also reduces the transport cost per vehicle.
By implementing a combination of decarbonization measures, the so-called “Super Large Smart Green 11,000” design will result in a significant reduction in carbon emissions, in line with the stringent requirements of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) Phase 3 and NOx Tier III. The PCTC will use LNG as its primary fuel and will be equipped with a 4,200cbm LNG storage tank.
With the assistance of ship designer Deltamarin, the hull line of the vessel has been optimised through numerous CFD calculations and ship model tests. Additional energy-saving features include a stern flow optimization device and an air lubrication system, which effectively minimise resistance and reduce the required propulsion power. The integration of hybrid propulsion systems and solar power further underlines the commitment to reducing energy consumption.
"We expect the market for electric vehicles to continue to grow, driving demand for PCTCs. Scale, energy efficiency and low carbon fuel are key to reducing emissions from the transport of these vessels. As a leading class for car carriers, DNV is honoured to be entrusted with the assessment of this next generation of car carriers and we look forward to working with China Merchants to bring these vessels to the water," said Norbert Kray, Regional Manager Greater China at DNV Maritime.
According to China Merchants, the shipyard is already in discussions with potential customers for the 11,000 CEU PCTC.
Photo credit: DNV
Published: 7 December, 2023

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