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Wärtsilä holds ‘An Ocean Awakening’ event in Singapore

Collaboration the way ahead for ‘An Ocean Awakening’, concludes industry roundtable discussion.
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The following story below was provided by Wärtsilä to Manifold Times:

With much of the world’s population live in mega cities, a world without these sprawling metropolises is almost unthinkable. However, the global population explosion coupled with climate change, and the ever-growing demand for limited resources require a change in the mega city model if humankind is to continue to thrive.
 
Wärtsilä, a global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets, believes sustainable and smart marine ecosystems could be the key to radically reinventing cities and their shores, and ultimately unlocking new city models that are both greener and bluer.

Wärtsilä is working with the world’s great maritime cities to bring “An Oceanic Awakening” to life. Integral to “An Ocean Awakening” is SEA20, which seeks to connect 20 of the most influential marine cities by 2020 into a network that will inspire cooperation as an essential ingredient to driving forward this journey of transformation.  The cities of Hamburg and Helsinki, and the State of Washington, USA, have officially joined the SEA20 network. On November 8, Wärtsilä launched the initiative in Singapore.

As part of the launch, Wärtsilä brought together a diverse panel of high-powered stakeholders to gather at the “An Oceanic Awakening” media roundtable, and discuss issues relating to maritime industry transformation through research and innovation.

Marco Ryan, Chief Digital Officer & Executive Vice President, Wärtsilä Corporation, set the stage by explaining, “At Wärtsilä, we fundamentally believe we have a leadership, stewardship role in driving sustainable change in the industry. “An Oceanic Awakening” is a movement we are facilitating in order to get the industry regulators, institutes of higher learning (IHLs), and thought leaders together, and make a difference to the industry and society at large.”

He added, “SEA20 is a call to action to stakeholders to stand up and be part of the change.”

Events, such as the media roundtable, are part of Wärtsilä’s efforts to engage these stakeholders and dovetails with its “whole eco-system” approach.

Mr Ryan said that a “whole eco-system” response will help unlock the value of “An Ocean Awakening” initiative, adding, “This panel is a prime example… (as it) represents the full maritime eco-system. That can only happen in Singapore, where you are looking at the thought leadership, the independent view, the corporate industry view, the regulator, the academia all coming together to solve the same problem with the same mindset.”

Roundtable facilitator, Mr Chris Chung, Director, Digital Innovation & Strategic Projects, Wärtsilä, asked panel members how they could curate the eco-system and accelerate the pace of change towards greater sustainability. Collaboration, they said, is the answer.

On the education front, Singapore Maritime Institute Executive Director Dr Sanjay Chittarajan Kuttan said the institute could encourage greater research collaboration through the funds it disburses. “If the funding criterion is constructive collaboration, then there might be an opportunity to accelerate this.”

He also said that since much of the research is being carried out by IHL faculty, the new technologies would seep into these institutes’ syllabi, and help keep the students au courant with the latest developments. In turn, this will help accelerate change.

MPA’s Chief Technology Officer, Mr Kenneth Lim, said that the industry and its stakeholders are already collaborating on their own accord. “Even the newer technologies, such as 3-D printing, are being incorporated into the maritime industry. The industry is responding to, and coming forward to try out new technology as they work with various partners. We need to sustain this momentum so that we can see tangible results from these projects within a shorter period.”

In the Singapore context, he added, the development of the Next Generation Port in Tuas “is a golden opportunity to put in all the relevant research and new technology, and plug into the available research funds”.

Architect Jason Pomeroy pointed to the need for port cities to reinvigorate themselves and move away from their current closed-off environments. “We need to economically, culturally and socially reinvigorate ports. We need to find a way of breaking down these silos.”

One way to achieve this is to bring together the ideas of “the intellectual and the labourer” together.

Wärtsilä’s Mr Ryan said that corporations, which were traditionally rivals, are now becoming “frenemies”. “Each of us has a contribution to make.  That which used to be your competitor is now partly your friend, and partly your enemy.”

This, he added, was part and parcel of the “whole eco-system” approach.

“In adopting this approach, some truisms apply. First, there must be a shared real value in doing this together. Second, it only works with scale, like the Tuas mega port, and scale requires technology to ensure cost efficiency. Finally, a cyber security element is needed because the data has to be protected, or you would be putting your business model, your future, your operational efficiency at risk.”

Photo credit: Wärtsilä
Published: 30 November 2018
 

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.
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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.
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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Environment

Indonesia to expedite removal of sunken Malaysia-flagged tanker “Silver Sincere”

Vessel sank while carrying about 1,000 mt of waste oil on 12 January 2025; the wreck was discovered in March 2025 and was found to have drifted about 13 nautical miles from its original sinking site.

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Indonesia to expedite removal of sunken Malaysia-flagged tanker “Silver Sincere”

Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs on Tuesday (14 July) held a cross-agency coordination meeting to expedite efforts in handling the Malaysian-flagged tanker Silver Sincere that sank off Bintan Regency, Riau Islands.

The vessel sank while carrying about 1,000 metric tonnes (mt) of waste oil on 12 January 2025. 

According to authorities, the ship sank within Indonesian waters. After several surveys, the wreck was finally discovered in March 2025 and it was found to have shifted approximately 13 nautical miles from the initial sinking location.

The meeting was aimed to align cross-ministerial and institutional measures to expedite the handling of the Silver Sincere wreck while minimising risks to shipping safety, the marine environment, and national interests.

Deputy for Coordination of State Defense and National Unity Purwito Hadi Wardhono emphasised that the handling of the impact of the Silver Sincere sinking was the first case to be comprehensively coordinated, serving as a model for handling foreign vessels sinking within Indonesian jurisdiction.

Through this cross-sectoral coordination, the government will establish a clear and measurable framework that can serve as a reference for resolving similar cases in the future, while minimising state losses due to environmental pollution, damage to underwater ecosystems and infrastructure, and disruption to shipping lanes.

“The most important thing is to immediately stop and prevent the negative impacts of this ship sinking,” Purwito said.

“Therefore, a coordinating role is crucial, as maritime security governance involves various ministries and institutions with varying authorities, allowing for faster, more integrated, and more effective response,” he said. 

He added that the Silver Sincere was a Malaysian-flagged vessel that sank within Indonesian jurisdiction, and therefore, all handling processes must comply with the provisions of Indonesian laws and regulations.

In the meeting, Prof. Eko Ganis Sukoharsono, representing the SAE Energy Consulting Team, presented the results of an analysis based on 14 observation periods using Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery. 

The analysis results showed strong indications of a waste oil spill that has resulted in marine pollution, damage to the seabed due to shifting shipwrecks, disruption of coastal ecosystems and fishing grounds, and potentially threatening the livelihoods of fishing communities around the Riau Islands. 

Purwito added these findings further emphasise the importance of accelerating the removal of the shipwrecks to prevent widespread environmental impacts, maintain shipping safety, and avoid the potential for greater state losses.

The meeting brought together representatives of related ministries and institutions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Ministry of Environment, Attorney General’s Office.  

Related: MPA: Malaysia-registered tanker “Silver Sincere” sinks off Pedra Branca

 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Julian T
Published: 20 July, 2026

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