Marine Biofuels Pilot Project to Be Launched in Singapore

With the support of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), BHP and GoodFuels signed a letter of intent (LOI) to collaborate on a biofuels pilot project in Singapore, which is expected to be carried out next year. 

The LOI was inked during the inaugural biofuel roundtable held in Singapore on September 21 to drive discussions on the use of biofuels as a sustainable alternative fuel for the future of shipping.

Organized by MPA, BHP and GoodFuels, the closed-door roundtable event brought together shipowners of different ship types to network, share insights into the use of biofuels to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations as well as explore areas of collaboration.

“We are pleased to facilitate discussions on the biofuels front along with our partners, BHP and GoodFuels. The roundtable comes at an opportune time in light of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 0.5% global sulphur cap on marine fuels which will come into effect from 2020, as well as IMO’s longer term plan to lower carbon emissions for shipping. MPA welcomes dialogues across stakeholders and will continue to work with relevant parties as we prepare the bunkering industry for the future,” Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of MPA, commented.

“In a world fighting to combat climate change, it is important that marine biofuels get in the ‘evoked set’ of options for shippers to choose from,” Abdes Karimi, Manager Ocean Freight Operations & Sustainability of BHP, said.

“We are very proud that our ‘biofuel-footprint’ of supply locations and sustainable customers is spreading from Europe to the largest bunkering port in the world and our first Asian partner as well. From now on, sustainable marine biofuels are available in Singapore for those ship and freight owners that want to eliminate their carbon and sulphur emissions,” Dirk Kronemeijer, Chief Executive Officer of GoodFuels, noted.

As informed, the Nanyang Technological University, which will soon be established as a center of excellence focusing on maritime environment and energy with the support of MPA and the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI), was also present to seek collaborative partnerships with shipowners to deepen Singapore’s capabilities in the maritime environment and bio-energy front.

Singapore is working towards providing cleaner alternative sources of fuel to cater to the future energy needs of the global shipping industry. Among the topics discussed at the roundtable are barriers to the use to biofuels and how these could be addressed.

Tan Suan Jow, Director (Sustainability) of MPA, also talked about ongoing efforts towards a clean, green and community-oriented port as MPA prepares for Singapore’s future port.