Alternative Fuels

SMW 2023: EOI for ammonia power generation and bunkering closing by 30 April

MPA and agencies will work with shortlisted consortia/companies from EOI for ammonia bunkering to conduct further studies, table-top exercises and training programmes.

Published

2 years ago

April 28, 2023

Admin

Accelerating Decarbonisation Conference 2

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Thursday (27 April) hosted its second edition of the ‘Accelerating Decarbonisation Conference’ at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

More than 400 industry leaders, academia and experts gathered to discuss efforts to accelerate global maritime decarbonisation, challenges, and opportunities that could be seized in the transition to use of low-carbon and carbon-free energy sources in the maritime sector.

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, delivered the opening remarks at the event, while Mr Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, International Maritime Organization (IMO), delivered the keynote address. In his address, Mr Kitack emphasised the urgency for shipping to decarbonise and reaffirmed IMO’s commitment and long-standing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping.

Four expert panels were convened to discuss various issues related to the current state of the maritime sector’s transition to low and zero carbon fuels. In particular, panelists covered the potential of green shipping corridors and net-zero fuel pathways to support emissions reduction for the maritime sector, in line with the goals of IMO and countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Exploring feasibility of Ammonia as Marine Fuel

MPA and the Energy Market Authority has called for an Expression of Interest (EOI) for ammonia power generation and bunkering, which will close by 30 April. Four presentations from research institutes and companies were done to share their initial findings from their studies on the safety and feasibility of ammonia as a marine fuel. MPA and agencies will work with shortlisted consortia/companies from the EOI to conduct further studies, table-top exercises and training programmes as part of a rigorous set of evaluation prior to the conduct of any ammonia-related trials in Singapore, or with Green and Digital Shipping Corridor partners.

MaritimeSG LowCarbon50 Award Ceremony

The MaritimeSG LowCarbon50 Award Ceremony, co-hosted by Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS), was also held at the conference for the second year running. The award was introduced by MPA as part of the Maritime Singapore Green Initiative’s Green Awareness Programme to recognize companies’ contributions to emission reduction.

Twenty companies took part in the second run of the Low Carbon Management workshop in 2022, and companies’ submissions for the award were evaluated by a panel comprising MPA, SSA and GCNS based on three main criteria of emission reduction, innovation and scalability. A total of six awards were given out to:

(i) Executive Ship Management Pte Ltd,

(ii) Goodwood Ship Management Pte Ltd,

(iii) Hafnia Pools Pte Ltd,

(iv) Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd,

(v) Ocean Network Express Singapore Pte Ltd, and

(iv) X-Press Feeders Pte Ltd.

Singapore-IMO NextGEN Connect Challenge Award Ceremony

The Singapore-IMO NextGEN Connect Challenge award ceremony was also held at the conference to recognise proposals to reduce GHG emissions on a global scale. Launched in April 2022, the award’s call for proposals received multiple high-quality submissions from around the world, proposing route-based action plans to reduce GHG emissions between specific points along shipping routes.

A distinguished panel of international judges from IMO, MPA, the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment and the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre Asia (MTCC-Asia) evaluated the submissions based on a set of criteria supporting IMO 2050 emissions reduction goals, taking into consideration implementation feasibility and inclusiveness.

The winner of the inaugural award went to Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (LR MDH), for their proposal on “Development of a Route-Based Action Plan Methodology based upon Silk Alliance”. The Silk Alliance is a green shipping corridor cluster project to trial decarbonisation strategy for container ships operating primarily in Asia to achieve significant emission-saving impact, based on LR MDH’s First Movers.

Charles Haskell, Director of the LR Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, said: “This endorsement by the Singapore-IMO NextGen’s Call for Proposals judging panel indicates that our methodology provides a clear focus in estimating the critical mass needed to drive much-needed infrastructure investments, such as port and fuel production infrastructure for alternative fuels, in preparation for shipping’s decarbonisation. By doing so, we not only aim to reduce emissions from the cargo trade in the region, but also incentivise the development of alternative fuel supply infrastructure in strategic positions, including those in the region’s developing countries.”

Accelerating Decarbonisation through Collaboration

MPA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Wärtsilä to collaborate on the development of the next generation renewable fuels, digital port optimisation and talent development. This MoU expands on the scope of an earlier MoU signed with Wärtsilä Voyage in 2021.

MPA and Classification Societies to establish Standards and Notations

MPA signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with all eight recognised classification societies in Singapore, to explore collaboration on setting standards and technical references in support of maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation, including smart and autonomous shipping, cybersecurity, electrification, and zero & low-carbon fuels, and the corresponding manpower development. This collaboration will help accelerate the development of standards, technical references for digitalisation and decarbonisation in Singapore, as well as for global markets.

Note: The list of speakers at the Accelerating Decarbonisation Conference can be viewed here under Annex A.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 28 April, 2023

LNG Bunkering

Baleària arranges LNG bunkering operations on same day at Port of Barcelona

Occasion marked the first time three bunkering operations were carried out on three different ships on the same day at the same port in Spain.

Published

15 hours ago

May 19, 2025

Admin

Baleària arranges three LNG bunkering operations on same day in Barcelona

Spanish shipping company Baleària on Thursday (15 May) said it broke an all-time record for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) with the bunkering of three of its vessels in the port of Barcelona.

The occasion marked the first time three bunkering operations were carried out on three different ships on the same day at the same port in Spain.

The company said the three vessels were fuelled with a total of 2,320 MWh of LNG by eight tankers.

Fast ferry Margarita Salas was fuelled by three tankers simultaneously. Ferry Martín i Soler was fuelled by two tankers and ferry Bahama Mama was bunkered by another three tankers also.

“Our commitment to LNG grew by 184% in 2024. Combined with electric propulsion and other eco-efficiency measures, we have managed to reduce our carbon footprint by almost 10% per passenger,” it said.

Photo credit: Baleària
Published: 19 May, 2025

Biofuel

Cosco-controlled Piraeus Container Terminal offers biofuel bunkering services

PCT, a fully controlled subsidiary of Cosco Shipping Ports, has officially introduced biofuel bunkering services for vessels calling at the Port of Piraeus.

Published

15 hours ago

May 19, 2025

Admin

Cosco-controlled Piraeus Container Terminal offers biofuel bunkering services

Cosco Shipping Europe, the regional management company of China Cosco Shipping Corporation in the European Region, on Friday (16 May) said biofuel bunkering is now available at Piraeus Container Terminal (PCT) in Greece.

PCT, a fully controlled subsidiary of Cosco Shipping Ports, has officially introduced biofuel bunkering services for vessels calling at the Port of Piraeus – supporting customers in achieving greener, more sustainable supply chains.

After listening to customer needs, Cosco Shipping (Europe) said PCT swiftly moved into action to re-evaluate legal foundations for biofuel bunkering under ISO 8217:2024 and new Greek regulations.

It added that PCT also partnered with suppliers to provide full-service bunkering options.

Photo credit: Cosco Shipping Europe
Published: 19 May, 2025

Ammonia

ABS answers critical safety questions related to using ammonia as a marine fuel

ABS engineers examined realistic bunkering situations such as STS, terminal-to-ship and truck-to-ship, as well as ammonia dispersion from the vessel due to a leakage incident in the engine room.

Published

15 hours ago

May 19, 2025

Admin

Classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) on Thursday (15 May) published its report to bring together the findings of its advanced research into the performance of ammonia on board.

Critical safety questions such as “how does ammonia behave when it leaks in an engine room?” and “how does a cloud of escaped ammonia disperse during bunkering operations?” are addressed in the latest ABS research.

ABS performed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using advanced tools to quantitatively assess the risks associated with ammonia dispersion in accidental leakage scenarios.

ABS engineers examined realistic bunkering situations such as ship-to-ship, terminal-to-ship and truck-to-ship, as well as ammonia dispersion from the vessel due to a leakage incident in the engine room.

“This publication provides a comprehensive report of ABS’ efforts to address the challenges and opportunities presented by ammonia as a marine fuel,” said Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Business Development.

“Through detailed analysis of ammonia dispersion studies and emergency evacuation protocols, ABS is contributing to the discourse on safe and supportable maritime fuel alternatives, fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience.”

In addition to CFD simulation analysis, ABS leveraged the latest industry best practices and advancements in software and hardware – including acoustic cameras for detecting and visualizing ammonia leakage – to provide a thorough, three-part framework for owners and operators evaluating ammonia as a cleaner fuel source:

Proactive regulatory engagement and risk anticipation
Development and implementation of a multifaceted safety framework, combining qualitative and quantitative risk assessments
Real-time monitoring and optimized emergency response

Note: Download a copy of the ABS publication Safety Insights for Ammonia as a Marine Fuel here.

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 19 May, 2025