The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Thursday injected another SGD$12 million ($8.92 million) to boost liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering at Singapore, it says.
Half of the SGD$12 million will be for co-funding LNG bunker vessel (LBV) newbuilds to facilitate the development of ship-to-ship LNG bunkering at Singapore.
The remaining half will be used to top up MPA’s existing co-funding scheme to support the construction of LNG-fuelled vessels; the current programme has already been fully utilised to support Keppel SMIT Towage, Maju Maritime, Harley Marine Asia, Sinanju Tankers, and PSA Marine.
“With the implementation of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 0.5% global sulphur cap on 1 January 2020, LNG is a viable and tested solution for shipowners,’ says Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of MPA.
‘As the world’s largest bunkering hub, MPA will support future demand by promoting the development of ship-to-ship LNG bunkering in the Port of Singapore.
‘This will provide the industry greater confidence in the availability of LNG supply across key shipping routes.”
According to the MPA, applications for the new fund for the building of LBVs are now open and interested companies are able to get co-funding of up to SGD$3 million per LBV.
To apply, companies must be incorporated in Singapore, and the funded vessels must be registered with the Singapore Registry of Ships and licensed for bunkering activity in the Port of Singapore for a period of at least five years.
Applicants must also submit their business plan for the proposed LBV, including working with MPA’s existing LNG bunker supply licensees, where applicable.
Applications will close on 31 March, 2018.
Photo credit: SLNG
Three major South Korean shipbuilders recorded 154 orders, and 68 were for newbuildings which can utilise either LNG or methanol as an alternative bunker fuel, reports Business Korea.
“K” Line is in charge of the technical management of the vessel owned by FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel Offshore and Shell Eastern Petroleum.
‘MOL’s bunker vessel is our very first construction of this particular ship type,’ says President and CEO.
Sovcomflot President and CEO Igor Tonkovidov says Russia is taking steps to promote LNG as marine fuel.
‘UECC's experience with LNG PCTCs has been very good and there was really no other alternative for us.’
The 50/50 owned JV was announced in August and is now extended with four additional 17,999 DWT tankers that run on LNG/LBG or gasoil, bringing the total investment to eight vessels.
Transferred shares of 40 subsidiaries to BVI firm after tribunal awarded claims in favour of Trinity Seatrading; YSPL has also filed a civil complaint against DNV and Liberian ship registry at Nanjing Maritime Court.
ADNOC L&S, Gulf Energy Maritime, Cockett Marine Oil, Mideast/Bahri Ship Management and VPS experts present their views on biofuel bunker hurdles at the VPS Biofuels Seminar in Dubai on 16 March.
‘Bunker barges operate in very local areas so these vessels call at port very often which means it will be a good fit for women with families,’ states Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA International.
“Our Singapore branch is under preparation and is expected to start business at the republic before June 2023,” Managing Director Darcy Wong tells bunkering publication Manifold Times in an interview.
Development to supply B35 biodiesel blend officially takes effect on 1 February; local bunker suppliers will be able to deliver updated spec within March onwards, once current stocks of B30 avails run out.
VPS, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, Wilhelmsen Ship Management, and INTERTANKO executives offered a multitude of perspectives to 73 attendees during the VPS Biofuels Seminar, reports Manifold Times.
