Top bunker hub Singapore implements maritime projects
SINGAPORE is expanding and implementing projects to stay competitive as one of the world’s major ports and the largest bunkering hub globally, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) announced some updates on shipping decarbonisation projects, in conjunction with Singapore Maritime Week from Apr 24 to 28.
Here is a snapshot of key projects and milestones to look out for in the coming years:
Methanol bunkering pilot
The MPA said the first trial in refuelling a ship with methanol would be conducted in the third quarter with Maersk Oil Trading, Mitsui & Co, Mitsui & Co Energy Trading Singapore and the American Bureau of Shipping.
Singapore has completed more than 70 methanol loading and discharging operations for industrial use since 2022, across 10 storage tanks at Jurong Island.
These tanks are located at Vopak Terminals, Stolthaven Terminal, Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore Terminal and Chevron Oronite Terminal. The tanks can also be used to store methanol for bunkering requirements, the MPA said.
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Green corridor
The MPA on Apr 24 signed an agreement with the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach to establish a green and digital shipping corridor between Singapore and the San Pedro Bay port complex.
Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach are key global hub ports on the transpacific shipping lane. They will collaborate on facilitating the supply and adoption of alternative fuels and explore the infrastructure and regulations for bunkering these fuels.
Tuas Port
Tuas Port will have a handling capacity of 65 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) when completed in the 2040s, MPA said, nearly twice its 2022 volume of 37.3 million TEUs.
Development comes in four phases, with two completed. MPA has started planning and design works for the third phase, with reclamation work expected to be completed in the mid-2030s.
Electric vessels
From 2030, all new harbour and pleasure craft operating in Singapore port waters must be fully electric, be capable of using B100 biofuel, or be compatible with net-zero fuels such as hydrogen.
MPA will launch an expression of interest (EOI) in the second quarter, seeking proposals for the design and development, demand aggregation, and green financing for new electric harbour craft.
The first charging station will be deployed by Shell at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Singapore on Pulau Bukom in the same quarter.
Shell Eastern Trading launched the first of a series of electric ferries at its refinery-petrochemical complex on Pulau Bukom in April.
Biofuel bunkering standard
MPA has developed a marine biofuel provisional standard for blends of up to 50 per cent or B50, and plans to update it as trials for biofuel blends of up to 100 per cent or B100 are carried out.
MPA will update the marine biofuel provisional standard to include B100 by 2025.
Ammonia bunkering facility
The port authority launched an EOI in December last year to build, own and operate low or zero-carbon ammonia power generation and bunkering solutions on Jurong Island.
The EOI, which is open until end-April, aims to explore the viability of using hydrogen and ammonia as bunker fuels. REUTERS
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