Business

MPA and partners establish Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation

GCMD set up by MPA, BHP, BW Group, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Foundation Det Norske Veritas, Ocean Network Express and Sembcorp Marine,

Published

5 years ago

July 30, 2021

Admin

The Maritime Ports Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Thursday (29 July) announced the formation of Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) in Singapore and its leadership team with effect from 1 August 2021.

Set up with a S$120 million fund from MPA and six founding partners namely BHP, BW Group, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Foundation Det Norske Veritas, Ocean Network Express and Sembcorp Marine, the centre will spearhead the maritime industry’s energy transition journey.

GCMD aims to collaborate with the industry to help the maritime sector reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, implement identified decarbonisation pathways and create new business opportunities. The set-up of a decarbonisation centre was first announced during the Singapore Maritime Week in April 2021, as one of the recommendations in the International Advisory Panel for Maritime Decarbonisation’s report submitted to the Singapore Government.

Collaborations in maritime decarbonisation gaining momentum

As part of GCMD’s ongoing efforts to explore joint industry projects that advance the deployment of low- and zero-carbon maritime solutions, 31 organisations ranging from shipping companies, classification societies, research centres, traders, energy players, terminal and tank operators, engineering companies, financial institutions to industry associations have expressed interest to collaborate with GCMD. GCMD will be working with these organisations to establish strong partnership and initiatives as part of its objective to deliver value to the industry globally.

Please refer to Annex A for the full list of organisations who have indicated their expressions of interest to explore collaborations with GCMD

GCMD to be headed by international experts on clean energy transition and emerging solar technologies

Prof Lynn Loo will be appointed Chief Executive Officer. She will be responsible for working with GCMD’s Governing Board to develop and execute the overall strategy for the new centre. She will also take the lead in building partnerships with the maritime industry, government agencies, international bodies and other regional and international maritime decarbonisation centres.

Lynn is currently the Director of the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University.

Under her leadership, the Andlinger Center released the Net-Zero America Study that laid out technological pathways by which the U.S. can stop contributing to a build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by 2050. She is also known for her development of a transparent solar cell technology to wirelessly power “smart” windows that can decrease building energy use while increasing occupant comfort. She will continue to hold her position as the Theodora D. ’78 and William H. Walton III ’74 Professor in Engineering and professor of chemical and biological engineering while on leave from Princeton.

Dr Sanjay Chittarajan Kuttan will be appointed Chief Technology Officer to lead technology and research development and pilot trials initiated by the centre. He will also be involved in standards development of future marine fuels, as well as strengthening the linkages with local research institutes and international decarbonisation centres to advance maritime decarbonisation efforts. Sanjay is currently the Executive Director of the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) and is responsible for building deeper Research and Development (R&D) capabilities within the local maritime R&D community and funding key maritime research projects with industry.

Please refer to Annex B for bios of Prof Lynn Loo and Dr Sanjay Chittarajan Kuttan

GCMD Governing Board to comprise representatives from the industry and public sector; Mr Andreas Sohmen-Pao appointed Chairman

GCMD’s leadership team will be supported by a Governing Board, who will work with the team to define the strategic direction of GCMD. Mr Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman of BW Group and the Singapore Maritime Foundation, will be appointed Chairman of GCMD’s Governing Board. The Governing Board is made up of eight other members who have deep industry networks to help grow GCMD into a leading centre of excellence for maritime decarbonisation. They are:

maritime

Future Developments

In partnership with the industry, GCMD will facilitate decarbonisation technology development and test-bedding, including future marine fuel trials with the industry and research communities in Singapore. To this end, MPA is looking at developing waterfront facilities to support these activities. MPA is working with relevant agencies to study the viability of locating GCMD along with other maritime developments at Marina South.

Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State for Transport, said, “The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation has garnered much interest from industry stakeholders. This strong support is important for developing commercially viable solutions for sustainable shipping. As a hub port and international maritime centre, Singapore will contribute to this shared vision by growing a vibrant ecosystem for maritime decarbonisation research, technology development and solution deployment.The Centre’s work will involve going into new areas and uncharted waters, we are grateful to our partners for sailing this journey together with us.”

Mr Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman, Governing Board of GCMD, said, “Decarbonisation is a global challenge, and our industry has to play its part. The challenge is too large for any one company to solve, so collaboration is essential. This centre will build on the positive steps taken by many maritime players around the world, and Singapore’s position as a leading maritime centre, to help the industry transition to a low-carbon future.”

Prof Lynn Loo, Chief Executive Officer, GCMD, said, “I am honoured and excited to lead GCMD. Contributing 3% of global carbon emissions annually, shipping is one of the hardest-to-abate sectors. GCMD offers a huge opportunity to make significant inroads on the sector’s decarbonisation agenda. Starting in Singapore, our work will carry us widely across the globe, rigorously testing promising solutions with a simple goal of taking tangible next steps to help the maritime sector navigate the energy transition.”

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 30 July, 2021

Winding up

Singapore: Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Nicholas James Gronow, director of the Singapore-based bunker tanker owner, filed a statutory declaration last year for the company, stating the firm cannot continue their businesses due to its liabilities.

Published

10 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Admin

Several written resolutions for Singapore-based bunker tanker owner Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping Pte Ltd (HTFS) were approved by the sole shareholder of the company on 19 June, according to a post in the Government Gazette on Friday (26 June).

Manifold Times previously reported a director of HTFS filing a statutory declaration (SD) with the Official Receiver’s office stating that the company cannot continue its business due to its liabilities.

The company was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

The duly passed resolutions were:

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS:

That the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018).
That the Liquidators be authorised to exercise any or all of the powers provided under Section 144(1)(b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) and 144(2) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018).
That the Liquidators be and are hereby authorised to distribute in cash or in specie any or all of the assets of the Company remaining after satisfaction of all debts and liabilities.

ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS:

That Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., One Raffles Quay #27-10 South Tower Singapore 048583 be and are hereby appointed the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up and that the Liquidators be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred or sustained by them in the execution and discharge of their duties in relation thereto.
That the remuneration of the Liquidators be based on their normal scale rates for carrying out the engagement plus disbursements and the prevailing goods-and-services tax and that the Liquidators’ remuneration be paid out of the assets of the Company.

In another notice, the liquidators of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping said creditors for the company are required on or before the 27 July to send in their names and addresses and particulars of their debts or claims, and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the liquidators.

Liquidators may also require creditors to, “come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proved.”

The liquidators can be contacted at the following address:

WONG PHENG CHEONG MARTIN
KOAY MAY YEE
JOINT AND SEVERAL LIQUIDATORS
of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
One Raffles Quay
#27-10 South Tower
Singapore 048583

Photo credit: Benjamin child
Published: 29 June, 2026

Incident

MPA ‘deeply concerned’ over projectile strike on Singapore-registered ship in Hormuz Strait

Container ship “Ever Lovely” sustained minor damage to the bridge area from an unknown projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz on 25 June at about 10pm (Singapore Time).

Published

10 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (26 June) said the Singapore-registered container ship Ever Lovely sustained minor damage to the bridge area from an unknown projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz on 25 June at about 10pm (Singapore Time).

The vessel has since completed its transit through the Strait of Hormuz and is proceeding on its voyage.

“All 21 crew members are safe. There are no Singaporeans onboard,” MPA said in a statement.

MPA said it will continue to remain in close contact with the vessel’s management company and provide the necessary assistance.

“MPA is deeply concerned about the incident, which was unprovoked, unjustifiable, and a breach of international law,” it added.

“All actions affecting international shipping must fully comply with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and not endanger the safety of seafarers and ships at sea.”

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Michael Schindler
Published: 29 June, 2026

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: MaritimeONE Case Summit 2026 spotlights bunkering, decarbonisation challenges

This year’s challenge statements focus on maritime logistics optimisation, carbon emissions reduction, energy security and bunkering decision-making amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Published

10 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Admin

Singapore: MaritimeONE Case Summit 2026 spotlights bunkering, decarbonisation challenges

The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) recently launched the 7th edition of the MaritimeONE Case Summit, in partnership with industry sponsors.

Through this annual case competition, students from Singapore’s universities and polytechnics will apply their knowledge to respond to some of the maritime industry’s most pressing challenges, hone teamwork and cross-disciplinary skills, and build professional networks.

Supported by industry sponsors AET, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Petredec Global and Pacific International Lines (PIL), this year’s challenge statements focus on maritime logistics optimisation, carbon emissions reduction, energy security and bunkering decision-making amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Registration for the competition runs from 24 June to 27 July, with the proof-of-concept submission due 12 August.

Students are invited to form teams of two to four, select one of four challenge statements to work on, and register by the application deadline. Participating teams will then submit a Proof-of-Concept for evaluation. Following the assessment round, shortlisted finalist teams will be mentored to refine their solutions in preparation for the Closed-Door Judging. Winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony on 23 October 2026.

“The four challenge statements this year reflect key issues that the maritime industry is navigating today. These span environment, social and governance (ESG), energy security, and technology to augment decision-making. I thank AET, MSC, Petredec Global and PIL for putting forward challenges that give students hands-on opportunities to address practical industry issues with rigour and imagination. Such exposures will equip the students better when they join the maritime industry,” said Mr. Hor Weng Yew, Chairman, SMF.

Note: Registration of the competition and more details on the challenge statements can be found here.

Photo credit: Singapore Maritime Foundation
Published: 29 June, 2026