Singapore bunker supplier Golden Island Pte Ltd is planning to start bunkering trials of green methanol with its newbuild Singapore-flagged 7,999 dwt IMO type 2 bunker tanker from July, learns Manifold Times.

“The Golden Antares is scheduled to depart a Chinese shipyard by end April,” shared Tomohiro Yamano, General Manager, Marine Fuel Department.

“We are planning for it to lift the product from Towngas (Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited) which has obtained ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS certifications for green methanol before sailing back with the cargo to Singapore for bunkering trials.”

“We are also working together with Mitsubishi Corporation to purchase green methanol from them.

“With the above steps in place, we ensure green methanol marine fuel provided by Golden Island offers Carbon Intensity (CI) savings of more than 75% when compared against the CI of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) material.”

Yamano-san noted the mass flowmeter (MFM) equipped newbuilding has a 6,500 metric tonne (mt) carrying capacity for methanol.

The cargo will be deposited to a Stolthaven Singapore operated terminal prior to the start of MFM trials in July.

“Singapore’s maritime sector is rapidly evolving and improving to keep up with the times,” he said.

“In late 2023, Golden Island became the first Singapore bunker supplier to adopt 100% e-BDN operations. We were also pioneers to test B30 product in the same year.

“Now, we want to promote change towards sustainable shipping by being amongst the first bunker suppliers to offer a green methanol marine fuel package for receiving vessels lifting bunkers at the republic.”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), through the Singapore Standards Council (SSC), on 10 March published a new Technical Reference (TR) 129 on Methanol Bunkering to provide a comprehensive framework for the safe and efficient use of methanol as an alternative fuel for bunkering operations.

Yamano-san confirmed green methanol marine fuel supplied by the company will adhere to protocols set by TR 129.

MPA has also recently opened applications for licences to supply methanol as a marine fuel in Singapore. This follows the finalisation of Singapore’s methanol bunkering licensing framework and standards, which incorporated input from over 50 proposals received under MPA’s Expression of Interest (EOI) launched in December 2023, as well as methanol bunkering trials and operations conducted in Singapore since 2023.

Related: Golden Island to start methanol bunkering operations at republic by 2026
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Photo credit: Golden Island
Published: 2 April 2025

Bunkering and marine fuel solutions provider Global Fuel Supply (GFS) on Thursday (21 February) announced its expansion in West Africa with the launch of its first physical supply operation. 

The company’s newly chartered 5,498 dwt bunker tanker, M/V Rlo Explorer, will be stationed at Luanda anchorage in Angola. 

“We see tremendous opportunity for growth and expansion in the West African market,” said Bijan Shahbaz, Managing Partner and COO of GFS, in a statement shared with Manifold Times.

“With some of the most dedicated professionals in the industry, we are fully prepared to add even more value for our customers by delivering a smooth, seamless service that sets new standards in this region.”

At under 100metre in length, GFS said M/V Rlo Explorer is ideally suited to go alongside oil rigs and platforms, while its stainless-steel tanks can be cleaned within 24 hours—ensuring maximum flexibility. 

In line with evolving operational and environmental needs, GFS is also deploying advanced flowmeter technology for precise fuel measurement and rolling out Electronic Bunker Delivery Notes (e-BDN) for streamlined, eco-friendly documentation. 

“By positioning the M/V Rlo Explorer at the heart of a major hub, GFS aims to deliver reliability, short turnaround times, and superior customer support,” it added.

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / RLO Tankers
Published: 21 February, 2025

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Friday (14 February) welcomed the Port of Ceuta’s decision to become the first Mediterranean port to implement the mandatory use of ISO 22192 certified Coriolis Mass Flow Meters (MFMs) for marine fuel supply. 

IBIA said this initiative is a positive step towards modernising the marine fuel supply industry and improving transparency.

“IBIA has long supported the adoption of Mass Flow Meters across global bunkering hubs as they help increase measurement accuracy, reduce discrepancies, and build trust between suppliers and buyers,” it said in a statement. 

 “While this is a step forward, IBIA also highlights the importance of having the right regulations and procedures in place to make sure the transition to MFMs is smooth and consistent across the industry.”

IBIA added clear guidelines and solid processes are key to ensuring the success of such initiatives and maintaining trust in bunkering operations.

“This development is in line with IBIA’s ongoing push to see bunker licensing schemes, ideally incorporating MFMs, adopted in key global bunkering hubs,” it said. 

IBIA said it looks forward to continued collaboration with ports, regulators, and industry partners to drive further improvements in transparency, reliability, and digitalisation in the marine fuel supply chain.

Manifold Times previously reported Port Authority of Ceuta mandating the use of international ISO 22192 certified and calibrated MFMs for marine fuel supply by barge.

Related: Ceuta becomes first Mediterranean port to mandate certified MFMs for STS bunkering

Photo credit: International Bunker Industry Association
Published: 17 February, 2025