Bunker Fuel

ZeroNorth eBDN solution goes live on 12 Vitol Bunkers barges in Singapore

Singapore-headquartered Vitol Bunkers’ deployment of eBDN will help streamline workflows, eliminate the risk of manual errors, enhance efficiencies and reduce costs, says ZeroNorth.

Published

5 months ago

July 11, 2024

Admin

ZeroNorth eBDN solution goes live on 12 Vitol bunkers barges in Singapore

Technology company ZeroNorth on Thursday (11 July) said it has provided its eBDN (electronic bunker delivery note) solution on 12 barges operated by Vitol Bunkers in Singapore for supply to its shipping customers.

The firm said the deployment of eBDN will help Vitol Bunkers, based in Singapore, streamline workflows, eliminate the risk of manual errors, enhance efficiencies and reduce costs.

“The rollout also supports the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore’s (MPA) goal of enabling digitalised bunkering,” it said in a statement.

In being amongst the first to adopt eBDN to supply its customers, ZeroNorth said Vitol Bunkers demonstrates its high degree of confidence in the tangible benefits that the technology can provide; optimising bunker procurement, verifying purchased fuel quantities, eliminating delays and ensuring smoother transactions as well as providing greater data accuracy and quality.

As one of the world’s largest bunkering ports, Singapore announced the launch of the digital bunkering initiative in November 2023. MPA is also planning to make eBDN mandatory to enhance collaboration between bunker buyers and suppliers, enable better reporting of emissions and achieve time and cost savings.

After comprehensive testing to validate its regulatory compliance functionality, data accuracy and security, the MPA granted ZeroNorth’s eBDN solution whitelisting approval. ZeroNorth currently serves 56 barges and 10 customers in Singapore.

The firm said the continued adoption of eBDN will enable more and more suppliers and buyers to see the benefits of digitalised bunkering, avoiding delays and inaccuracies across the value chain.

Mr Ng Yi Han, Director (Innovation, Technology & Talent Development) of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), said: "Digital bunkering can boost the efficiency and transparency of the bunkering process in Singapore. Since the launch of the digital bunkering initiative last November, MPA is encouraged to see more licensed bunker suppliers, ship owners, and operators, including Vitol Bunkers, adopting digital bunkering solutions. Using the whitelisted solutions, including the solution by ZeroNorth, to complete and issue digital bunkering documents can help save many man-days per year, which companies can redirect to other value-added work.”

Rishab Bahl, Managing Director at V-Bunkers, said: “Adopting ZeroNorth’s eBDN solution has marked a step change in our bunker delivery processes. Aligned with our objective to reduce emissions through greater operational efficiencies, it will allow us to optimise our operations and enhance collaboration with bunker buyers, allowing all stakeholders to minimise costs, achieve greater data accuracy and avoid delays.”

“We believe the roll-out of eBDN in Singapore and globally will be an accelerant for identifying further opportunities to digitalise critical information about the fuel. In the years to come the regulatory requirements including proof of sustainability will put significant administrative burdens on both the buyer and the suppliers; here eBDN can play a valuable role.”

Kenneth Juhls, Managing Director, ZeroNorth Bunker, said: “Singapore is one of the world’s most important bunkering hubs as well as a key market for us. It is a first-mover in terms of digital technologies and we are proud to be supporting customers like Vitol in pioneering their digitalisation strategy.

“Beyond a technical change, the adoption of eBDN has also been a lesson in change management at a massive scale affecting teams across back office, operations, barge crew, surveyors and chief engineers. By collaborating closely with Vitol Bunkers, we have been able to ensure the smooth transition to eBDN and we look forward to expanding its use to other locations with Vitol Bunkers."

Manifold Times previously reported Vitol Bunkers and its logistics arm, V-bunkers, announcing their collaboration with ZeroNorth to enhance the efficiency of the bunkering process in Singapore through digitalisation.

Photo credit: ZeroNorth
Published: 11 July, 2024

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: MPA launches EOI to expand LNG bunkering services amid growing demand

MPA is seeking proposals to explore scalable solutions for sea-based LNG reloading to complement existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and e/bio-methane supply as a marine fuel.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to explore scalable solutions for sea-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) reloading to complement the existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and the supply of e/bio-methane as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore.

MPA said LNG bunkering in Singapore has grown from 16,000 tonnes delivered in 2022 to over 385,000 tonnes delivered from January to October 2024.

According to the EOI, demand for LNG bunkering is expected to grow further with a growing global fleet of LNG dual-fuelled vessels and competitive LNG bunker prices.

“The EOI seeks to gather proposals on three areas: to scale up sea-based reloading operations, including ship-to-bunker barge LNG operations; to facilitate the supply of LNG alternatives such as liquefied bio-methane; and to develop floating platform concepts to enhance bunkering safety and efficiency,” MPA added.

“The EOI proposals should also include mitigation measures to address the issue of methane slip on a well-to-wake basis.”

Participants in the EOI do not need to be an existing LNG bunkering licensee. Participants are required to propose models for operationalising sea-based LNG reloading starting from 2025. Participants selected will be required to conduct trials in Singapore to validate the proposed solution’s operational feasibility and safety.

“Insights gained from the EOI and trials will inform MPA’s review of the LNG licensing framework, including enhancements to supply to better serve the industry’s bunkering needs,” it said.

Note: Interested parties can visit the MPA website for details and submission guidelines. Proposals must be submitted by 28 February 2025, 1pm (Singapore time).

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 13 December, 2024

LNG Bunkering

Wärtsilä wins LNG systems order for Vitol bunkering newbuild vessel

Firm will supply cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel currently being built at Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

Wärtsilä wins LNG systems order for Vitol bunkering newbuild vessel

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, on Friday (13 December) said it has won a contract to supply Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel.

The vessel is being built at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China, for global energy company Vitol.

“Wärtsilä’s ability to engineer, design and deliver a complete system, including the Boil-Off Gas (BOG) management, integrated fuel supply, custody transfer and bunkering transfer systems, was central to the contract award,” Wärtsilä said, adding the order was booked by the company in Q4, 2024.

Richie Zhu, Sales Manager, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, China, said: “LNG is today an important marine fuel and is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for owners and operators seeking more sustainable fuel options. The market for LNG bunkering vessels is increasing in line with this trend, and we have established a leading position in supplying modern and reliable systems that optimise overall cargo handling efficiency for such vessels.”

Manifold Times previously reported Vitol securing three LNG Bunkering Vessels (LNGBV) through its shipping company, Vitol International Shipping Pte Ltd (VIS).

The vessels were secured via a seven to ten year time charter agreement with Avenir LNG Limited (Avenir) and an order for two vessels at the CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. Ltd shipyard in Nantong, China.

The time charter agreement with Avenir is for one newbuild 20,000 m3 LNGBV. The time charter will commence at delivery from the shipyard in China in Q4 2026 and will serve a period of seven years with options to extend up to ten years in total.

Vitol also ordered one 12,500 m3 and one 20,000 m3 LNGBV at the CIMC SOE shipyard in China. The vessels will be delivered in Q4 2026 and Q3 2027 respectively.

Photo credit: Wärtsilä
Published: 13 December, 2024

Newbuilding

UECC deploys LNG dual-fuel newbuild “Blue Aspire” on key European route

Vessel is set to boost vessel capacity on its key European North-South trading network from mid-December this year after recent delivery from CIMC Raffles Offshore Engineering.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

UECC deploys LNG dual-fuel newbuild “Blue Aspire” on key European route

United European Car Carriers (UECC) on Wednesday (11 December) said it has further expanded its fleet of eco-friendly car carriers with the addition of the dual-fuel LNG newbuild Blue Aspire.

The vessel is set to boost vessel capacity on its key European North-South trading network from mid-December this year after recent delivery from a Chinese shipyard.

The 200-metre long Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), delivered from CIMC Raffles Offshore Engineering, has capacity for nearly 7000 vehicles on 12 cargo decks.

UECC will operate the vessel together with another five vessels on a route between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, traversing the Turkish ports of Yenikoy and Autoport, the German port of Cuxhaven, and Zeebrugge, Belgium every 4.5 days.

“Deployment of the Blue Aspire will boost tremendously capacity and sailing frequency on this busy trade route, currently serviced by five vessels, while further enhancing the sustainability of the UECC fleet,” said the company’s COO Per Christian Mørk.

The latest fleet addition will increase to six the number of UECC-operated vessels plying the North-South network, taking in a total of 10 ports on two routes, after the recent deployment of the renamed Auto Way that was acquired by UECC’s joint owner Wallenius Lines from Höegh Autoliners earlier this year.

It will also boost the size of UECC’s owned and chartered fleet to 15 PCTCs, including five dual and multi-fuel LNG vessels - three with battery hybrid capability - delivered in the past decade, with another two multi-fuel LNG newbuilds currently on order that are set for delivery in 2028 and options for two similar units.

“We are expanding our fleet with greater capacity and cargo-carrying flexibility to provide a more efficient service for clients in response to increasing demand as we see longer-term growth potential in this market,” Mørk explained.

Mørk said sustainability is now a key priority in procurement of maritime transport services to meet the environmental goals of vehicle manufacturers amid new green regulations - including FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS - that provide a commercial incentive to reduce the cost of GHG emissions.

“UECC is catering to this market requirement with an eco-friendly fleet geared to minimizing the environmental footprint of vessel operations with progressive reductions in carbon intensity, in line with regulation, through adoption of energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuels,” he says.

Mørk noted that, while LNG can reduce emissions by around 25% compared with conventional fossil fuels, there is potential to greatly enhance environmental performance on LNG-fuelled vessels like Blue Aspire by switching to liquefied biomethane (LBM) that offers net-zero potential.

UECC is now increasing application of the latter fuel on its dual-fuel LNG PCTCs after recently securing an LBM supply agreement with Titan Clean Fuels that is forecast to cut its overall fleet emissions by 75,000 tons in 2025.

“The Blue Aspire therefore represents a valuable addition to the UECC fleet that underpins our market commitment to sustainability, while contributing to decarbonization of shipping,” Mørk concludes.

Photo credit: United European Car Carriers
Published: 13 December, 2024