- Biofuel Sales Up 70 Per cent, B100 Standards Coming by 2025.
- Methanol SIMOPS Trial Successful, Technical Guidelines by 2025.
- Ammonia Bunkering Advances with IMO Support and Local Standards.
As noted in its 2024 Annual Report, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is gearing up for a future powered by multiple fuels. Their aim? To keep Singapore at the forefront as a global bunkering hub, fully equipped to meet the changing fuel demands of international shipping, reports Safety4Sea.
Biofuels: Sales Surge and B100 Standards in Progress
In Singapore, biofuel sales skyrocketed by 70%, jumping from 0.52 million tonnes in 2023 to 0.88 million tonnes in 2024. You can already find biofuel blends of up to B50 on the market. The MPA is collaborating closely with industry partners to establish standards for B100 blends, which they intend to implement by 2025.
Methanol: Pilot Success and Technical Framework
Methanol is emerging as a promising sustainable fuel option, boasting lower sulfur oxides and particulate emissions. In May 2024, Tuas Port made history by hosting the world’s first simultaneous methanol bunkering and cargo operation (SIMOPS). This trial successfully demonstrated the viability of using mass flow metering (MFM) systems for methanol, paired with digital bunkering technologies.
The MPA’s Technical Reference for Methanol Bunkering, scheduled for release in 2025, will provide detailed operational guidelines. They’ve already received several proposals for low-carbon methanol supply, with some projects up and running while others are nearing the final investment decision.
Ammonia: Global Collaboration and Local Initiatives
Ammonia is being assessed for its potential as a zero-carbon fuel when sourced from renewable materials. A significant achievement in 2024 was the inaugural use of an ammonia-diesel blend as marine fuel for the Singapore-flagged Fortescue Green Pioneer, a project backed by both MPA and Fortescue.
MPA has teamed up with international organisations to create interim guidelines for using ammonia as fuel, which were officially adopted by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee during its 109th session in December 2024. Additionally, Enterprise Singapore and MPA are collaborating to establish Singapore standards for ammonia bunkering, with a target completion date set for 2025.
LNG: Strong Growth and Offshore Expansion Plans
The volumes of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering skyrocketed from 0.11 million tonnes in 2023 to 0.46 million tonnes in 2024 — that’s more than a four-fold increase! In December 2024, MPA kicked off an Expression of Interest (EOI) to investigate scalable sea-based LNG reloading options. This initiative aims to enhance the existing onshore storage and jetty facilities while paving the way for future supplies of e-methane and bio-methane.
A Call for Innovation and Collaboration
Chairman Niam Chiang Meng emphasised the complexity of the transition ahead: “We are mindful of the challenges ahead. The decarbonisation and digitalisation drives are complex journeys which require not only technological innovation but also close collaboration among industry, government, and the global maritime community.”
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Source: Safety4Sea
