Singapore's first methanol bunkering vessel will debut in 2023

Global Energy Group will introduce Singapore's first dedicated methanol bunkering tanker by the end of next year through two of its subsidiaries.

PHOTO: Singapore cargo terminal, one of the busiest in the world. Getty Images

Bunker supplier Global Energy Trading and shipping company Stellar Shipmanagement are both subsidiaries of Global Energy Group.

Sasaki Shipbuilding will build the 4,000-dwt vessel, which will carry both biofuel and methanol. It will be classified by Bureau Veritas.

Global Energy Group's group managing director Loh Hong Leong says the upcoming vessel could pave the way for the next generation of bunker tankers.

As a bunker fuel, methanol adds a "new dimension" to Singapore's bunker market, according to Kelvin Kang, general manager of Stellar Shipmanagement.

Singapore is already looking to extend its leadership as the world’s largest bunkering port into the low-carbon bunkering market, which could help expedite the global shipping sector’s move towards decarbonisation goals.

According to Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport Chee Hong Tat, Singapore has carried out over 40 biofuel bunker operations, with more than 70,000 mt of biofuel blends supplied to ocean-going vessels by the beginning of October.

Meanwhile, Singapore's Maritime and Port authority (MPA) recently joined a consortium that includes A.P. Moller - Maersk aimed at accelerating the use of ammonia marine fuel in Singapore.

The consortium will jointly develop an ammonia bunker vessel design that has been approved in principle by classification society ABS. Singapore-based PaxOcean Engineering and bunker vessel operator Hong Lam Marine have also agreed on the design of an ammonia bunker vessel.

Furthermore, Singapore's MPA has signed an agreement with the Dutch Port of Rotterdam to create a green shipping corridor.

By Konica Bhatt

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online