Business

Argus Media: Shell to scale back Singapore refinery

Shell expects to cut up to 9,000 jobs by Q4 2022, more than 10% of its workforce, as part of a structural reorganisation to shift towards a low-carbon future, it said.

Published

6 years ago

November 11, 2020

Admin

Kevin Foster of global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus Media on Thursday (10 November) published an article summarising the reasons behind Shell’s decision to scale back on its Singapore refinery as well as some of the market implications:

Shell is planning to cut around 250,000 b/d of refining capacity in Singapore and shift its product slate away from oil-based fuels to lower carbon alternatives, as part of its company-wide move towards net-zero emissions by 2050.

The company said today that it will reduce crude processing capacity at its 500,000 b/d Pulau Bukom refinery in Singapore by around half under a 10-year plan to significantly reduce its emissions in the country. Bukom, the company’s largest refinery, “will pivot from a crude-oil, fuels-based product slate towards new, low-carbon value chains.”

Shell is studying production of products that it described as “resilient to the energy transition”, such as biofuels, and more speciality products such as bitumen. It is also looking at using feedstocks based on greater circularity and renewable raw materials such as recycled chemicals.

The planned cuts at Bukom are the latest changes to Shell’s downstream business. The company decided in August to permanently close its 110,000 b/d Tabangao refinery in the Philippines and convert it into an import terminal because of regional oversupply and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shell is already planning to reduce its refining portfolio from 14 sites to concentrate on six “energy and chemical parks” around the US Gulf coast, northwest Europe and in Singapore. The company is exiting 450,000 b/d of North American capacity — including the 240,000 b/d plant in Convent, Louisiana, which it will shut this month — to reduce its refining footprint.

Shell is aiming to cut its carbon emissions in Singapore by around a third within the next decade. This will involve repurposing its core business, as well as providing low-carbon solutions in sectors such as power, mobility, shipping, aviation and trading. Its FueLNG joint venture will take delivery of Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel later this year.

The company plans to reduce staff numbers at Bukom from 1,300 now to around 800 by the end of 2023 as part of the refinery changes, starting in the fourth quarter of next year. Shell told its staff last month that it expects to cut up to 9,000 jobs by the end of 2022, more than 10pc of its workforce, as part of a structural reorganisation to shift towards a low-carbon future.

Shell’s planned capacity reduction at Bukom adds to refinery cutbacks and closures elsewhere in Asia-Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand, but is the first to affect Singapore, which is home to almost 1.4mn b/d of export-oriented refining capacity and major downstream petrochemical operations.

Photo credit and source: Argus Media
Published: 11 November, 2020

LNG Bunkering

Singapore: Eastern Pacific Shipping hits 700 LNG bunkering milestone

Since commencing LNG bunkering operations in November 2020, the company said it has completed a total LNG bunkering volume of 2,920,191 cubic metres.

Published

11 hours ago

August 18, 2026

Admin

Singapore: Eastern Pacific Shipping hits 700 LNG bunkering milestone

Singapore-based shipping firm Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) on Monday (17 August) said the company has successfully completed its 700th LNG bunkering operation, carried out for vehicle carrier Lake Victoria in Emden, Germany.

Since commencing LNG bunkering operations in November 2020, the company said it has completed a total LNG bunkering volume of 2,920,191 cubic metres (m3).

“Reaching 700 LNG bunkering operations reflects not only the scale of our investment in alternative-fuel capabilities, but also the experience, coordination and commitment of our teams at sea and ashore,” EPS said in a social media post.

“As we continue to grow and diversify our fleet, every operation adds to the practical experience needed to support shipping’s energy transition.”

Manifold Times previously reported the company completed a total of 530 LNG bunkering operations with over 2.4 million m3 of LNG bunkered, from the start of recorded data to 31 Dec 2025.

In its 2026 ESG Report, EPS said its fleet is among the largest dual-fuel fleets in the industry, with over 170 vessels designed to operate on alternative fuels.

In 2025, 25% of the fuel consumed by EPS fleet were alternative marine fuels, including LNG, LPG, ethane, and biofuels.

Photo credit: Eastern Pacific Shipping
Published: 18 August, 2026

LNG Bunkering

Yang Ming dual-fuel vessel completes first SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation in Shanghai

“YM Willpower” successfully received around 2,000 mt of LNG alongside active cargo handling, significantly enhancing operational efficiency during the port call.

Published

11 hours ago

August 18, 2026

Admin

Yang Ming dual-fuel vessel completes first SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation in Shanghai

Taiwanese shipping firm Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming) on Monday (17 August) said its 15,500 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessel, YM Willpower, successfully completed its first-ever LNG bunkering operation via SIMOPS (Simultaneous Operations) at the Port of Shanghai.

Through close collaboration with Shanghai International Port (Group) and SIPG Energy Shanghai, the vessel successfully received around 2,000 metric tonnes (mt) of LNG alongside active cargo handling, significantly enhancing operational efficiency during the port call.

With LNG dual-fuel technology, the company said it is continuing to expand alternative-fuel bunkering capabilities, enhance operational flexibility and efficiency and advance lower-carbon shipping solutions.

Manifold Times previously reported YM Willpower completing its first bunkering operation in Singapore.

In 2026, Yang Ming will progressively introduce newly built 15,500 TEU class container vessels primarily fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) into its operating fleet.

The lead vessel, YM Willpower, completed partial LNG bunkering at the shipyard prior to delivery and was officially deployed on 8 February into Yang Ming’s Far East–Mediterranean MD2 service.

Photo credit: Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation
Published: 18 August, 2026

Methanol

Fratelli Cosulich launches methanol-ready bunker tanker in China

Designed with MarineLINE-coated cargo tanks and methanol readiness from the outset, “Carlotta Cosulich” combines operational flexibility with future-fuel readiness.

Published

11 hours ago

August 18, 2026

Admin

Fratelli Cosulich launches methanol-ready bunker tanker in China

Genoa-based marine fuel supplier Fratelli Cosulich on Monday (17 August) announced the launch of its new methanol-ready bunker IMO II tanker, Carlotta Cosulich.

The launch of Carlotta Cosulich, the third of four sister vessels, took place at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard in China, bringing together the project team, partners and stakeholders.

Silvia Bordon, General Manager, served as the vessel’s godmother during the ceremony.

“Designed with MarineLINE-coated cargo tanks and methanol readiness from the outset, Carlotta Cosulich combines operational flexibility with future-fuel readiness,” the company said in a statement.

Equipped with a five-tonne cargo crane and dedicated arrangements for Single Point Mooring (SPM) operations further enhances her versatility across a wider range of bunkering operations.

“Following the successful delivery of her two sister vessels, she brings us one step closer to completing this four-vessel programme and reinforces Fratelli Cosulich Group’s commitment to safety, innovation, sustainability and operational excellence,” the company added.

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 18 August, 2026