- Marine Vicky will be fitted with ExxonMobil’s new EMF.5™ Engineered Marine Fuels.
- It is also Singapore’s first bunker tanker to be powered mainly by liquefied natural gas.
- LNG-powered bunker tankers are eligible to receive a 10 percent port dues concession.
According to an article published in Sea News, Sinanju Logistics Services has entered into a two-year time charter agreement with ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
New charter agreement
The 7,990 dwt newbuilding, soon to be christened “Marine Vicky”, will be the first bunker tanker for Singapore and Sinanju, to be powered mainly by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The deal will commit “Marine Vicky” to delivering ExxonMobil’s new EMF.5™ Engineered Marine Fuels to ocean-going vessels within Singapore port limits from the first quarter of next year (2020). This will help ensure that ExxonMobil’s customers can bunker the high quality, compliant options they need.
“Marine Vicky” is a 103-meter long 19-m wide bunker tanker classed by Bureau Veritas. She is equipped with a 55m3 LNG tank paired with a fuel gas supply system on deck for engine propulsion. She is being built at Keppel Offshore & Marine’s shipyard in Nantong, China, under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s LNG bunkering pilot programme.
Singapore’s Green Port Programme
Under the Maritime Singapore Green Port Programme, registered vessels that are serviced by alternative or cleaner marine fuelled harbor crafts during their port stay – such as receiving bunker from LNG-powered bunker tankers – stand to receive a 10 percent port dues concession.
Mr. Ju Kai Meng, Managing Director of Sinanju shared, “Sinanju is delighted to enter into a new phase of collaboration with ExxonMobil, with whom we have had a long and successful working relationship. As responsible stakeholders of the maritime industry, we are stepping up to promote the use of LNG as a sustainable alternative marine fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and we encourage more of such bunker tankers to operate in Singapore.”
He added, “The Technical Reference for LNG Bunkering (TR56:2017) to skill up for the safe and efficient handling of LNG is in place and we have a budding but comprehensive infrastructure to support the supply and use of LNG as a marine fuel at the world’s largest bunkering port.”
Focus on competitive building
“We will now focus on competence building through hands-on operations of this LNG-powered bunker tanker. I believe the invaluable experience garnered will serve as a strong foundation towards our preparation to embark on ship-to-ship LNG bunker deliveries from 2021,” Mr. Ju added.
“ExxonMobil is glad to be partnering with Sinanju in its effort to reduce emissions in its operations. We are committed to doing our part to meet the demand for cleaner marine fuel supplies safely and reliably, while at the same time, reduce environmental impact and provide sustainable solutions,” said Asia Pacific Sales Director of ExxonMobil Marine Fuels, Koh Sing Liang.
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Source: SeaNews
