Alternative Fuels

S&P Global Commodity Insights announces key speakers and agenda for FUJCON 2023

Key decision makers, thought leaders and marine experts will share their views, analysis and insights on global bunker and fuel oil market developments and future bunker fuels development.

Published

2 years ago

February 21, 2023

Admin

S&P Global Commodity Insights recently announced further details of the 13th International Fujairah Bunkering & Fuel Oil Forum (FUJCON 2023), to be held at the Novotel Fujairah on 13 to 15 March 2023.

Jointly hosted by the Department of Industry & Economy, Government of Fujairah and Port of Fujairah, with the support of Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, FUJCON is rapidly gathering momentum with key speakers from the leading oil and bunker companies.

Following a record oil handling year in 2022, Fujairah will see new storage projects kick-off during 2023 with current storage capacity standing at 11.1 million cbm. The investments will further strengthen its position as one of the Middle East’s largest storage, trading and bunkering hubs, which saw close to 12,500 vessels calling at the Fujairah Offshore Anchorage Area in 2022.

Furthermore, the port will commission its new dry bulk export facility in Dibba, adding an initial 18 million tonnes of aggregate handling capacity. The Etihad Rail project will complete its connection inside the Port of Fujairah and link Fujairah with other key economic zones in the United Arab Emirates for the movement of containers and general cargo.

The UAE Energy & Infrastructure Minister, His Excellency Eng. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, will deliver a ministerial address on the opening day of the forum on March 14, 2023. Following the ministerial address, other eminent thought leaders will also provide state of the industry addresses, including:

Dave Ernsberger, Head of Market Reporting & Trading Solutions, S&P Global Commodity Insights, is to deliver the State of the Marine Fuel Alternatives

Tyler Baron, CEO, Minerva Bunkering will deliver the State of the Bunkering Outlook

Through presentations and roundtable discussions, key decision makers, thought leaders and marine experts will share their views, analysis and insights on the global bunker and fuel oil market developments, as well as challenges and steps to be taken by the marine industry in facing the future fuels development.

Under the theme The Maritime Energy Transition and Future Fuels, the two-day forum will provide a packed agenda featuring seven sessions. Speakers will also explore the energy transition and carbon reduction requirements, which are forcing a paradigm shift in the maritime industry and affecting the bunkering and fuel oil sectors.

The debate and discussion on the first day, March 14, will cover a range of topics, including: decarbonization and the role of finance in the shipping industry; market developments and Fujairah’s future fuel options from the supply, operational, environmental and economic perspectives; fuel oil trade flows and pricing trends; as well as operational challenges and technological developments.

On the second day, March 15, speakers will continue to interact with topics, including: global carbon tax or State vs IMO regulations; contract terms and rules on carbon neutral cargoes; role of LNG in the decarbonization pathway; decarbonization options for maritime operations; demand for biofuels and methanol supplies; as well as terminal infrastructure changes to handle storage of alternative fuels. The forum will be closed with offshore site visit to the Port of Fujairah.

Dr Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi, Chairman, FUJCON Steering Committee, said: "The hosting of the much anticipated in-person FUJCON 2023 affirms the commitment of the Department of Industry & Economy, Government of Fujairah, and the Port of Fujairah as hosts, to provide a meeting ground for important dialogue, deliberation and discussion.”

“These have been the distinguishing features of FUJCON since its inception and it continues to provide a fitting stage for a world class event on the international bunkering community’s annual calendar. The Forum will integrate both industry leaders and practitioners, delivering high level content, industry know-how and technical insights to stakeholders and participants, who will once again engage and network face-to face."

FUJCON 2023 has received support and sponsorship from leading marine and bunkering brands including platinum sponsor Peninsula, corporate sponsors ADNOC Logistics & Services, ARIA COMMODITIES, Axiom Global, Fujairah Oil Terminal, GPS Chemoil, Montfort, Sinopec Fuel Oil,

Vopak Horizon Fujairah, VTTI, and VPS as well as function hosts Port of Fujairah, National Bank of Fujairah, Intertek and AKRON. The 2023 event is also supported by BIMCO, INTERTANKO, IBIA and Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.

Note: For more information about FUJCON 2023, please visit www.fujcon.com

Photo credit: S&P Global Commodity Insights
Published: 21 February, 2023

Business

SMW 2025: MPA and Dalian Maritime University to partner on joint maritime training

Both signed a MoU to enhance talent development and academic exchange between Singapore and China, focusing on maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation and covering areas such as clean energy.

Published

6 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Admin

SMW 2025: MPA and Dalian Maritime University to partner on joint maritime training

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Dalian Maritime University (DMU) on Friday (28 March) said they have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance talent development and academic exchange between Singapore and China in the maritime sector.

The MoU renewal was signed by MPA Chief Executive, Mr Teo Eng Dih, and Professor Shan Hongjun, President of DMU. This renewal builds on the successful collaboration established since 2021, and further strengthens talent development and knowledge exchange between both maritime ecosystems.

As part of the MOU, MPA and DMU will continue to engage in faculty exchanges, study visits and student exchanges in Singapore and Dalian, and joint maritime training and research programmes. Trainers from MPA, including subject matter experts and adjunct trainers, will contribute to courses, events and knowledge sharing.

The collaboration will focus on digitalisation and decarbonisation, covering areas such as clean energy and sustainable practices in the maritime sector, digital transformation of maritime operations, environmental management, maritime safety, navigational technologies, and port management and smart technologies.

DMU is home to world-class facilities, including two ocean-going training vessels and state-of-the-art research centre. A leader in autonomous ship technology and innovation in smart and sustainable shipping, the university has recently launched its 3rd ocean-going new generation autonomous training vessel.

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, MPA, said, “The renewal of this MOU reflects the strong partnership between MPA and DMU. As the maritime industry evolves, our collaboration in maritime education and training is more crucial than ever in preparing the next generation of maritime professionals. This agreement will enhance maritime talent development and knowledge sharing between Singapore and China, fostering innovation and sustainability in the maritime sector.”

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 28 March, 2025

Alternative Fuels

SMW 2025: Geospatial tools to be explored for port operations including bunkering

MPA and partners will explore the use of geospatial tools to develop solutions to improve safety and efficiency of port operations, such as bunkering of alternative fuels and vessel navigation.

Published

6 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Admin

SMW 2025: Geospatial tools to be explored for port operations including bunkering

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (26 March) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with several partners to promote knowledge-sharing initiatives and explore geospatial technologies to address real-world challenges in the republic.

Partners will explore the use of geospatial tools to develop solutions to strengthen preparedness, monitor sea level rise, and improve the safety and efficiency of port operations, such as vessel navigation, marine services and the bunkering of alternative fuels.

MPA signed a three-year MOU with Jurong Port, Singapore Cruise Centre Private Limited, Esri Singapore, Hexagon’s Safety Infrastructure and Geospatial Division, Nika, Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing (A*STAR IHPC) and the Centre of Excellence in Modelling and Simulation for Next Generation Ports (C4NGP) in the College of Design and Engineering of the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Geospatial tools use location-based data such as satellite images, traffic and weather data, and sensor readings from buoys and on land to create 2D and 3D visual insights.

These can help stakeholders monitor real-time conditions, manage risks, and plan operations more effectively by improving risk management and decision-making, and enhancing operational planning for improved safety and efficiency.

MPA also signed a three-year MOU with NUS to develop a skilled maritime geospatial workforce.

Under this partnership, MPA and NUS will explore the development of maritime geospatial courses for NUS undergraduate and post-graduate geography students, and a professional certification programme for mid-career professionals.

The maritime geospatial programmes will cover skills in 2D and 3D mapping, geospatial analytics, and advanced environmental and operations modelling. This will build a pipeline of talent equipped with the skills and knowledge to drive maritime geospatial innovation in the industry and government.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 28 March, 2025

Biofuel

Monjasa and NYK complete first-ever biofuel bunkering operation in Panama

Monjasa delivered a total of 900 mt of B30 biofuel, using tanker “Monjasa Thunder”, to NYK-operated vessel “Hestia Leader” at Port of Cristobal, marking the first ISCC-certified biofuels supply in Panama.

Published

7 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Admin

Monjasa and NYK complete first-ever biofuel bunkering operation in Panama

Marine fuels supplier Monjasa on Thursday (27 March) said it delivered a total of 900 metric tonnes (mt) of B30 biofuel to NYK-operated vessel Hestia Leader in the Port of Cristobal, Panama on 2 February.

This ship-to-ship operation was performed by the 19,991 dwt Monjasa Thunder and marked the first ISCC-certified biofuels supply in Panama and the establishment of a scalable 2nd generation marine biofuels supply chain. This setup is capable of supplying a total of 5,000-7,000 mt monthly.

On 24 March 2025, the Panama Canal Authority announced the introduction of a NetZero Slot designed to support and reward shipowners and operators on their journey towards decarbonisation.

General Manager Latin America, Jonas Bruslund, said: “The introduction of biofuels in Panama has progressed slower than in major bunkering hubs like Singapore or Rotterdam, mainly due to lack of local feedstock and customer commitments.”

“However, we have now developed a viable strategy with a longstanding business partner to ship biofuels products from Europe for the benefit of shipowners operating in the Panama Canal area.”

“The Panama Canal has a strong agenda to promote low-carbon fuels and higher energy efficiency and we are pleased to challenge the status quo and actively support these efforts.”

Monjasa established its local maritime logistics in 2015 and today manages seven vessels across the Atlantic and Pacific areas of the Panama Canal.

In the Americas, Monjasa has already established biofuels partnerships across the port of Callao in Peru and in Cartagena, Colombia.

As an ISCC-certified partner, Monjasa allows all involved parties to trace feedstock used to produce biofuels from the point of origin to the end consumer. On this first supply in Panama, the B30 product consisted of 30% Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) and 70% Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO).

Monjasa still awaits the shift away from sporadic biofuels inquiries to a broader pick-up in demand. Until then, Monjasa aims to continue establishing a string of global biofuels supply locations to support the shipping industry in meeting IMO’s 2050 climate change commitments.

Photo credit: Monjasa
Published: 28 March, 2025