MPA and Shell join forces to accelerate electrification of harbour craft in Singapore

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Shell Eastern Trading Pte Ltd (Shell) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand collaboration on the maritime decarbonisation efforts in Singapore.

As part of the five-year MoU, MPA and Shell will work to advance the adoption of electric harbour craft and the development of low-and-zero-carbon fuels in Singapore.

The partnership will see the two organizations collaborate on identifying opportunities for energy-related development, including establishing charging infrastructure for electric harbour craft.

Additionally, the partnership will extend to the research and development of low and zero-carbon fuels, with a particular focus on providing training for crew members in the handling, operation, and maintenance of vessels utilizing such fuels.

“Our partnership with Shell will tap into both MPA’s and Shell’s expertise in maritime decarbonisation, renewable energy, and innovation. The MoU is an important step towards achieving our 2030 goal for all new harbour craft to be fully electric, be capable of using 100% biofuels or be compatible with net zero fuels, and achieving net zero emissions in our harbour craft, pleasure craft and tugboat sectors by 2050,” said Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA.

“We are delighted to sign this MoU with MPA which paves the way for continued collaboration on a variety of decarbonisation solutions, including electrification and low-and-zero-carbon fuels. Shell is working closely with industry stakeholders from across the value chain to explore the fuel and technology pathways to shipping decarbonisation, and later this year, we plan to kick off a hydrogen fuel cell trial on a Shell-chartered vessel,” said Nick Potter, General Manager of Shell Shipping and Maritime for Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

The signing took place at an event held by Shell to unveil the first of a series of electric ferries in Singapore, and the first for Shell globally.

Dubbed by Penguin as the Electric Dream project, the first electric ferry, Penguin Refresh, is scheduled to commence operations in May, ferrying Shell personnel, contractors, and visitors between Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal and Pulau Bukom. Two additional electric ferries will be operational in August 2023. 

 Shell worked with a Singaporean homegrown shipbuilder and shipowner, Penguin International, on the first fully-electric ferry service in Singapore.

MPA and Shell want to make the company’s charging facilities at Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Singapore available for other electric harbour craft users. Shell is also exploring the feasibility of expanding the shore charging infrastructure on the island.