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INTERVIEW: 80-90 times YOY growth for Singapore LNG bunkering volumes in 2021, says FueLNG

A number of LNG-fuelled container vessels and tankers have confirmed their term bunkering plans from Singapore; sector poised for sharp growth with delivery of FueLNG Bellina, says General Manager.
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Saunak MT

The following interview arranged by Conference Connection is part of pre-event coverage for the upcoming 12th International Fujairah Bunkering & Fuel Oil Forum (FUJCON 2021), where Manifold Times is an official media partner. Readers can register for the virtual event by clicking on the link here.

Bunkering volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at Singapore port is set to grow by up to 90 times in 2021 compared to last year, says the General Manager of licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG, a locally formed joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine and Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd.

“In 2020, most of the regular LNG bunkering in Singapore have been carried out by truck-to-ship, although the number of operations is in 100’s the actual bunkered volume is rather limited,” Saunak Rai tells Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.

“With the commencement of ship-to-ship LNG bunkering in Singapore from 2021, we are expecting about an 80 to 90 times increase in annual LNG bunkering volumes at Singapore port.”

According to Rai, major factors contributing to the growth will be due to the availability of FueLNG Bellina – Singapore’s first dedicated LNG bunker vessel (LBV) – back by the republic’s status as a major container port, wherein LNG bunkering can be carried out within the time for cargo operations, resulting in time efficiency.

The development will be further supported by the earlier release of updated TR56 recommendations for LNG bunkering in Singapore, which provides certainty of regulations and detailed guidance for successful LNG Bunkering operations, together with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) initiatives incentivizing Singapore Ship Owners investing in reducing cO2 emissions and reduction in port dues to LNG-fuelled vessels calling at Singapore.

“The outlook for Singapore’s LNG bunkering sector appears very bright. A number of LNG-fuelled container vessels and tankers have already confirmed their term bunkering plans from Singapore and we are also seeing spot interests from bulk carriers and car carriers,” he adds.

“FueLNG has been an early mover, and ordered a LBV speculatively in 2016 even though the LNG bunker demand pipeline was not well formulated in Singapore. This decision gave us an immediate advantage now, having a LBV operational in Singapore.”

To date, FueLNG has carried out over 300 truck-to-ship LNG bunkering operations in Singapore, notes Rai.

“We have continuously learned and improved from these operations, making each new operation more efficient than the previous one,” he says.

“We have also shared our feedback with various government authorities and provided them with recommendations to increase efficiency of the logistics chain. A number of these have been accepted and implemented.”

Rai believes Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub for traditional marine fuels, is on the right track to also become the world’s largest LNG bunkering port.

“Singapore has unique advantages of geographical location, efficient marine ecosystem, diverse infrastructure and robust regulations. This has a played a big role in it becoming the world’s largest bunkering hub [traditional marine fuels],” he explains.

“To continue the growth and reach the level of world’s largest LNG bunkering hub, Singapore needs to look into further infrastructure investment for LNG loading facilities, and also focus on further reducing logistics costs.”

Moving forward, Rai notes Fujairah and U.A.E. already having many attributes needed to succeed as a LNG bunkering hub; such as access to cheap LNG from regional LNG producers in UAE and Qatar, a geographical location near major shipping traffic, an efficient Marine ecosystem, and the Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP) FSRU which can be utilised as a loading facility for LNG Bunker vessels.

“Now, what is needed is a mechanism to incentivise the early adopters, both on the supply as well as the demand side,” he observes.

“In addition, clear guidance on rules and regulations regulating LNG bunkering in Fujairah needs to established in consultation with local industries and LNG Bunkering experts.”

Note: Saunak Rai will be speaking at Session 6: Post 2020 Future Fuels Landscape: Outlook for LNG, Hydrogen, Methanol & Biofuels at FUJCON 2021.

 

Photo credit: FueLNG
Published: 11 March, 2021

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 800th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FUELNG Venosa” delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier “MV Ubuntu Humanity” at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July.

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Singapore: FueLNG completes 800th LNG bunkering operation

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Friday (17 July) announced the successful completion of its 800th LNG bunkering operation in the republic.

The company said bunker tanker FUELNG Venosa delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier MV Ubuntu Humanity at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July. 

“This achievement is more than just a number,” FueLNG said.

“It reflects the trust our customers place in us, the dedication of our operations team, the professionalism of our marine partners, and our unwavering commitment to safe, efficient, and reliable bunker deliveries.” 

Manifold Times previously reported FueLNG completing its 500th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

Related: Singapore: FueLNG achieves milestone of 500th STS LNG bunkering operation

 

Photo credit: FueLNG
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Methanol

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 mt annually.

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Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Ship design and engineering service provider Western Baltic Engineering on Thursday (16 July) showcased its latest concept design for a green methanol bunkering vessel, developed for the operational needs of the Port of Klaipėda.

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) annually. 

“It is Western Baltic Engineering’s first concept dedicated exclusively to green methanol bunkering, expanding our portfolio of alternative-fuel vessel solutions,” the company said in a social media post.

“Building on our experience in methanol-ready vessel design, it reflects our continued focus on enabling the industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.”

“As the maritime sector evolves, engineering companies have a responsibility not only to respond to market needs but also to anticipate future challenges,” said Marius Arkusauskas, Director at Western Baltic Engineering.

“By exploring emerging technologies and alternative fuel applications, we help our partners prepare for the next generation of maritime operations while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

 

Photo credit: Western Baltic Engineering
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Repsol supplied 2,800 mt of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, “Antonia Maersk”, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean.
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Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Spanish energy company Repsol and shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) completed the first bioethanol bunkering operation in the Port of Barcelona, according to the port authority on Wednesday (15 July). 

Repsol successfully supplied 2,800 metric tonnes (mt) of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, Antonia Maersk, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean. 

The operation demonstrates growing demand for alcohol-based marine fuels, as well as the readiness of the infrastructure, logistics, and operational capabilities required to support their deployment at commercial scale. 

Juan Abascal, Repsol’s Executive Managing Director of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy, said: “With this supply, we reaffirm our commitment to the decarbonization of maritime transport through solutions that are available today and ready to scale in the future. 

“At Repsol, we provide shipping companies with a reliable supply chain and a multi-energy strategy that combines different renewable fuels to support the sector in a safe, competitive, and sustainable transition.”

The supply took place in the Port of Barcelona under fully commercial conditions, bringing together key players across the maritime value chain and demonstrating how collaboration can accelerate the adoption of lower-emission solutions in shipping. 

The delivery was carried out by Bahía Candela, Repsol’s newest bunker vessel, operated by Mureloil and designed to supply both conventional marine fuels and next-generation energy products. 

During the bunkering operation, Bahía Candela operated using its battery system, enabling the fuel transfer to be completed with zero local emissions, and further reducing the environmental footprint of the operation. 

Prior to the bunkering, Maersk tested ethanol on one of its smaller vessels, the 1,800 TEU feeder vessel Laura Maersk, which in 2023 became the world’s first dual-fuel container vessel able to operate on methanol. Today, Maersk has 23 dual-fuel container vessels designed to operate on methanol; however, the company continues to explore ethanol as an alternative fuel for its methanol-enabled vessels. Laura Maersk has performed sailings on 100% ethanol as well as blends of ethanol and methanol. 

Emma Mazhari, Vice President Energy Markets at Maersk, said: “Following the successful ethanol trials conducted on Laura Maersk, this latest bunkering of Antonia Maersk marks another important step in our efforts to explore scalable low-emission fuel solutions. 

“As the first ethanol trial on one of our large dual-fuel vessels, with a capacity of 16,000 TEU, it allows us to deepen our understanding of ethanol’s operational potential at scale. 

“Building on the experience we have gained with methanol, we are working closely with port authorities and industry partners to develop the infrastructure and procedures needed to support ethanol bunkering. Ethanol is one of several pathways we are pursuing to diversify our future fuel portfolio and help accelerate the development of new, viable liquid marine fuel markets.”

 

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 20 July, 2026

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