Keppel to build Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel

Keppel Offshore & Marine, through its unit, Keppel Singmarine, secured a contract with Mitsui & Co to build Singapore’s first dual-fuel bunker tanker, to be owned and operated by Sinanju Tankers Holdings.

The tanker is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2019, Keppel O&M said.

As part of the contract, Sinanju and Mitsui AP have an option to order a second similar tanker to be exercised within six months from the effective date of the first contract.

Sinanju will receive co-funding of up to S$2 million ($1.5 million) to build the vessel as one of the recipients of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) LNG bunkering pilot programme (LBPP).

Speaking of the contract Abu Bakar, managing director (gas & specialised vessels), Keppel O&M, said, “The dual-fuel bunker tanker will be the third vessel to be built by Keppel Singmarine under the MPA LBPP and the seventh dual-fuel vessel built by Keppel O&M.”

The 7,990 DWT dual-fuel bunker tanker will be the first LNG-fueled bunkering vessel for Singapore and for Sinanju.

Built to the requirements of classification society, Bureau Veritas, the bunker tanker will deliver marine fuels to ocean-going vessels within local port limits.

“Sinanju aims to kick-start a green initiative for bunker tankers operating in Singapore; for our vessels to emit less air pollutants while boosting the local use of LNG as a bunker fuel. We will be in good stead when embarking in ship-to-ship LNG bunkering as our next milestone,” said Ju Kai Meng, managing director of Sinanju Tankers Holdings.

Taku Morimoto, CEO of Mitsui AP, added that Singapore is aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by boosting the use of LNG as a marine fuel.