Alternative Fuels

The Methanol Institute: Singapore takes first-mover advantage in Asia with methanol bunkering pilot

‘With more than 65% of 135 methanol-fuelled newbuildings being containerships, there is a good chance a number of these vessels will be bunkering in Singapore,’ forecasts Chris Chatterton of The Methanol Institute.

Published

1 year ago

July 28, 2023

Admin

The successful completion of Singapore’s first methanol bunkering pilot on Thursday (27 July) has given the republic a lead in adopting methanol as a marine fuel, believes the Chief Operating Officer at The Methanol Institute.

The milestone operation between a Maersk containership and Hong Lam Marine tanker MT Agility was the first in Asia to feature a methanol-fuelled containership, and not a commercial product carrier transporting methanol, highlighted Chris Chatterton.

“Methanol bunkering operations to refuel methanol product carriers have already been done numerous times at many ports,” he told Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.

“However, this marine refuelling pilot to a Maersk containership is remarkable and indicates Singapore will likely be a significant methanol bunkering hub in the future.

“Internationally, recent developments in Singapore demonstrate methanol is currently moving forward as an economical and viable alternative bunker fuel which will aid in the transition to cleaner shipping operations.”

Chatterton, who earlier stated 2022 to be “a significant turning point” for adoption of methanol as a bunker fuel due to developments led by A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S, pointed out methanol dual fuel (DF) engine orders for newbuildings exceeded orders for LNG DF engines in June 2023.

In July, MAN Energy Solutions signed an agreement with containership owner and operator Seaspan Corporation in collaboration with global liner shipping firm Hapag-Lloyd for 15+45 methanol engine retrofit solutions.

To date, Clarksons Research data shows 135 methanol-fuelled vessels in the global orderbook with top five placements from Maersk, CMA CGM Evergreen, Express Feeders and COSCO.

“With more than 65% of these 135 methanol-fuelled newbuildings being containerships, there is a good chance a number of these vessels will be bunkering in Singapore,” he forecasts while adding “Singapore players have meanwhile been doing their due diligence preparing for such an event.”

In May, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) organised a Hazard Identification (HAZID) and Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) workshop to prepare for Singapore’s first methanol bunkering pilot.

The meeting was attended by over 40 participants from various methanol bunkering partners, such as the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd, Maersk Oil Trading, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and Mitsui & Co. Energy Trading Singapore Pte Ltd. Representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs Singapore, Ministry of Manpower, National Environment Agency, and Singapore Civil Defence Force were also present.

International laboratory testing services firm Eurofins in May expanded operations to include surveying, sampling and testing packages for methanol bunker fuel within its product portfolio.

The Methanol Institute (MI) in May published the first comprehensive guide to methanol as a marine fuel.

In April, Consort Bunkers Pte Ltd placed a newbuilding order for six 6,500 dwt IMO Type 2 bunker tankers. The newbuilds are also capable of delivering a wide variety of conventional marine fuels as well as sustainable green fuels including biofuel and methanol.

During Singapore Maritime Week (SMW 2023), classification society DNV joined a working group on methanol bunkering, managed by the Standards Development Organisation at Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC-SDO).

Singapore bunker supplier Golden Island Diesel Oil Trading Pte Ltd, which has already finished the design phase for its methanol bunkering tanker, is planning to start bonded methanol bunkering operations at the republic in 2026.

In 2022, several players including PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, Air Liquide, YTL PowerSeraya Pte. Limited, Oiltanking Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Kenoil Marine Services Pte Ltd, and A.P. Moller – Maersk A/S signed a Memorandum of Understanding to start a ‘Green Methanol Value Chain Collaboration’ feasibility study project.

Photo credit: The Methanol Institute
Published: 28 July, 2023

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Alternative Fuels

Argus Green Marine Fuels Asia eBook released ahead of February bunker conference

eBook features interviews with Microsoft, JERA, IBIA, Anglo American, Sumitomo Corporation, Hafnia, BHP, Global Maritime Forum, DS NORDEN, ADNOC Group, and Standard Chartered Bank.

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

Admin

Argus Media organises Green Marine Fuels Asia Conference in Singapore

Independent global energy and commodity market intelligence provider Argus Media recently published an eBook as part of a prelude leading towards the Argus Green Marine Fuels Asia Conference on 18 to 19 February in Singapore.

The Pre-conference content: Argus marine fuels Asia eBook features exclusive industry interviews with Microsoft, JERA, IBIA, Anglo American, Sumitomo Corporation, Hafnia, BHP, Global Maritime Forum, DS NORDEN, ADNOC Group, and Standard Chartered Bank.

It offers a peek into their thoughts on infrastructure readiness, the marine fuels shipowners are gravitating towards, LNG decarbonisation pathways, collaboration across the marine fuels value chain, and more.

The eBook is available for download through the image below:

The Argus Green Marine Fuels Asia Conference will be held at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594 on 18 to 19 February in Singapore.

Key speakers for the event include Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA); Torben Nørgaard, Chief Technology Officer - Energy & Fuels, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center; Jerid Soo, Assistant General Manager (Global Sustainability and ESG), Pacific International Lines; Kazuki Yamaguchi, General Manager and Head, Maritime Energy Solution, Energy Transformation Business Group, Sumitomo Corporation; and Mahua Chakravarty, Editor, Marine Fuels (Asia), Argus.

Photo credit: Argus Media
Published: 17 January, 2024

Biofuel

Burando Energies delivers B30 bio bunker fuel to tug “MV Bylgia” in Rotterdam

Firm said it successfully delivered ISCC-certified B30 biofuel blend, derived from renewable feedstocks, to Heerema’s Anchor Handling Tug “MV Bylgia” at Port of Rotterdam.

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

Admin

Burando Energies delivers B30 bio bunker fuel to tug “MV Bylgia” in Rotterdam

Burando Energies on Thursday (16 January) announced it successfully delivered ISCC-certified biofuel to Heerema’s Anchor Handling Tug MV Bylgia at the Port of Rotterdam.

The delivered B30 biofuel blend, derived from renewable feedstocks, will help reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 25% (well-to-wake)—an impactful move in Heerema’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

“This delivery not only reflects our commitment to offering sustainable energy solutions but also strengthens our partnership with Heerema in their green ambitions,” said Duncan Huisman, Sustainable Bunker Trader at Burando Energies.

“We are proud to contribute to initiatives that prioritise the well-being of our planet and future generations.”

Burando Energies said it will continue to focus on innovation and sustainability, striving to provide energy solutions that drive both environmental progress and business success.

Photo credit: Burando Energies
Published: 17 January, 2025

Biofuel

DNV whitepaper: Limited supply could hamper future uptake of bio bunker fuel

Long-term future of the maritime biofuel market hinges on the availability of sustainable biomass at an affordable level, as well as competition with other sectors, says Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO Maritime.

Published

2 days ago

January 17, 2025

Admin

Key biofuels like FAME and HVO have great potential for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and supporting compliance with maritime regulations, but their benefits to the industry could be constrained by limited supply in the future, according to DNV’s latest white paper Biofuels in Shipping, published on Thursday (16 January).

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO Maritime at DNV, said: “Biofuels present a promising decarbonization option for shipowners, and it's encouraging to see steady growth in the number of bunkering ports offering biofuels in recent years.”

“However, the long-term future of the maritime biofuel market hinges on the availability of sustainable biomass at an affordable level, as well as competition with other sectors.”

“Shipowners should, therefore, aim to explore energy efficiency measures and alternative fuels as part of their wider decarbonization strategies, while utilizing biofuels where they are available and affordable.”

In 2023, the maritime sector consumed just 0.7 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of liquid biofuels, representing a mere 0.6% of global liquid biofuel supply and 0.3% of shipping’s total energy use, highlighting the limited uptake of biofuels in shipping today compared to other sectors.

Despite this, biofuel holds significant potential for reducing GHG emissions and achieving compliance with regulatory frameworks, such as CII, EU ETS, and FuelEU Maritime. To realise these benefits, the biofuels used must meet stringent sustainability and GHG savings requirements, verified through a Proof of Sustainability (PoS) or similar document.

Drawing on in-depth interviews and written surveys of eight biofuel suppliers and 12 shipping companies, the paper identified more than 60 locations which have already been proven to have carried out biofuel bunkering operations since 2015. The report estimates that the ports of Singapore and Rotterdam accounted for about half of all biofuels supply to shipping in 2023.

The majority of biofuel consumption in shipping occurs through fuel blends, combining biofuels like FAME and HVO, the most established biofuels for maritime use, with conventional oil-based fuels.

The DNV white paper contains an overview of the main technical and operational considerations for use of biofuel as a ‘drop-in’ fuel. This includes key recommendations to shipowners such as verifying fuel quality, compatibility with onboard systems, and monitoring performance.

Øyvind Sekkesæter, Consultant in Maritime Environmental Technology at DNV and Lead Author of Biofuels in Shipping, said: “The technical compatibility of key marine biofuels like FAME and HVO varies from ship to ship, making it essential to assess each case individually.”

“Doing so will ensure that the fuel specification and quality are compatible with their intended application, minimizing the risk of damage to equipment and loss of power onboard the vessel.”

Note: The full DNV report titled ‘Biofuels in Shipping’ can be found here.

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 17 January, 2025