Connect with us

Alternative Fuels

New reforms for Malaysian bunkering industry to come into force on 1 June

Malaysian government will ensure all obligations and conditions under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships or MARPOL are implemented, says Transport Minister.
Admin

Published

3 years ago

on

post 56199

Several discussions and engagement sessions have been held between Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport, the Marine Department, Malaysia Shipowners’ Association (MASA) and the Sabah Sarawak Shipowners Association (SSSA) to discuss reforms to build Malaysia as a bunkering hub, says Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He made the announcement during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Malaysia Shipowners’ Association (MASA) and Malaysia Bunkering Association (MBA) attended by Manifold Times on Friday (5 May). 

Loke said several agreements have been reached to improve the bunkering industry in Malaysia:

  • The government will redouble efforts to ensure that all obligations and conditions under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships or MARPOL are implemented, including the use of double-hull double-bottom ships in order to improve the bunkering industry competitiveness and environmental sustainability.
  • For tankers with single-hull double-bottom delivered before July 1996, they are allowed to carry oil and their operation can continue subject to the following conditions:

1) The tanker must be less than 5,000 tonnes deadweight;

2) Not allowed to carry heavy grade oil (HGO);

3) Restricted to navigate within Malaysian waters only; and

4) The ships must be classified with any Organization recognised by the Malaysian Marine Department with the appropriate Class Notation.

  • For tankers delivered after July 1996, those tankers with 600 deadweight and above must comply with the requirements contained in Regulation 19, MARPOL ANNEX I before they can be registered as Malaysian vessels
  • The aforementioned terms and conditions will come into force through a new Malaysia Shipping Notice (MSN) which will be issued by the Malaysian Maritime Department in this month, which is May 2023, and is expected to come into force on 1 June 2023.
  • These policies take into account the needs and wishes of industry players in Sarawak and Sabah, as well as inland areas or islands where they use small vessels and usually consist of single hull vessels or licensed boats. 

He added the huge potential growth of bunkering activities in Malaysia can contribute to the country’s economy, especially as it can be a catalyst for a more dynamic and competitive maritime ecosystem.

“The estimated value of the bunker fuel market for the whole world is about USD 110 billion a year in 2020. With a growth of 4% annually, the size of the bunkering market will reach USD 160 billion in 2030,” he said. 

The minister emphasised the government’s commitment in supporting Malaysian companies and tanker owners especially those who are willing to invest capital in double hull double bottom vessels and modern equipment that can offer high quality bunkering services in line with Malaysia’s goal of becoming a world-class bunkering hub.

He also urged all parties to take bold steps in investing and participating in the green fuel wave which will lead to new lucrative opportunities. 

“The development in sustainable shipping fuel such as methanol which are produced by renewable energy will become more rapid in the coming years,” he said. 

Related: MBA and MASA sign MoU to boost bunkering and trade activities in Malaysia

Note: The above article was written based on the speech of Transport Minister Anthony Loke, which was written and delivered in Bahasa Melayu and translated by Manifold Times.

 

Photo credit: Malaysia Bunkering Association and Malaysia Shipowners’ Association
Published: 9 May, 2023

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

Admin

Published

17 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
Admin

Published

18 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
Admin

Published

18 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending