Business

NTU Ecolabs in initiative to develop alternative bunker fuels, sustainable shipping tech

Under this scale-up initiative, EcoLabs and its partners will support each firm with SGD 100,000, in-kind contribution, investments and co-funding of projects.

Published

6 years ago

August 12, 2020

Admin

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) in late July launched a new multi-million maritime technology scale-up initiative led by NTU EcoLabs Centre of Innovation for Energy (EcoLabs) to help the maritime industry reduce carbon emissions, and tech firms can receive a boost during this COVID-19 recession.

Technologies such as low carbon alternative fuels, maritime port equipment electrification, renewable energy integration, fuel cells and hybrid-electric propulsion systems are among the various types of decarbonisation technologies that this initiative aims to help scale up, test and commercialise in the maritime sector, it said.

EcoLabs is a national-level centre launched in April 2019 by NTU Singapore, Enterprise Singapore, and the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups innovate, grow and thrive in the competitive energy sector.

NTU EcoLabs said it will support the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)’s Maritime GreenFuture Fund through this initiative together with its technology partner SDGX and three of its co-investors: Blue Ashva Capital, Origgin Ventures and Chrysalix Venture Capital.

“Disruptive change and innovation can happen as a result of synergy between ecosystems,” said Professor Subodh Mhaisalkar, Chairman of EcoLabs Governing Board and Associate Vice President (Strategy and Partnerships) at NTU Singapore.

“NTU Ecolabs, its co-investors and its global technology partners will contribute expertise for the translation and deployment of deep tech solutions in commercial testbeds, where we will help start-ups prove that their technology is ready for market adoption.

“This will help decarbonisation and sustainability start-ups bridge their transition from lab to market, which is currently a gap in the maritime sector where many start-ups fail to cross.”

“More decarbonisation innovations can come from tech start-ups and SMEs in the form of decarbonisation solutions for sea transport,” added Kenneth Lim, MPA’s Chief Technology Officer and Senior Director, Innovation, Technology & Talent Development.

“We are thus heartened by this partnership with Ecolabs which will identify and scale promising maritime tech companies to play this important role. In this regard, we look forward to more partners joining our Maritime GreenFuture Fund.”

Announced earlier this year, the Maritime GreenFuture Fund was initiated by MPA to accelerate efforts in research, test-bedding, and promote the adoption of low-carbon technologies to position Singapore for long-term maritime sustainability, explained NTU Ecolabs.

Under this scale-up initiative, EcoLabs and its co-investors will jointly support each firm with support worth SGD 100,000 (USD 72,741) and more, comprising in-kind contribution, investments and co-funding of projects.

This will help promising cleantech companies to pilot-test and launch their innovation amidst a weaker business climate and ready themselves when the economy picks up, noted Ecolabs.

While this new initiative led by EcoLabs will benefit start-ups and SMEs from many platforms, start-ups identified from the Smart Port Challenge by the Port Innovation Ecosystem Reimagined @ BLOCK71 (PIER71), can gain access to eligibility for MPA grant applications of up to SGD 50,000 as well.

Other emerging areas that the Ecolabs will support include novel onboard carbon capture technologies, emissions monitoring, transparency, and management, new scrubbers to clean up exhaust emissions – all geared towards lesser energy usage and lesser carbon emissions.

“Decarbonising industrial activities is well-aligned with Chrysalix’s legacy of industrial innovation. Electrification, carbon capture and usage, green hydrogen and bringing carbon in a circular loop are all important drivers for a carbon-neutral future,” said Fred Van Beuningen, Managing Partner of Chrysalix Venture Capital.

“Therefore, we are excited to partner with the Maritime Green initiative and about our broader engagement with NTU in general.”

Photo credit: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Published: 12 August, 2020

Bunker Fuel

JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (June 2026)

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales rebounded in June, as bunkering demand grew modestly and bonded bunker fuel prices in domestic ports were still competitive amid sufficient supply, says JLC.

Published

3 days ago

July 10, 2026

Admin

JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report (June 2026)

Beijing-based commodity market information provider JLC Network Technology Co. recently shared its JLC China Bunker monthly report for May 2026 with Manifold Times through an exclusive arrangement:

Bunker Fuel Demand

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales rebound in June

China’s bonded bunker fuel sales rebounded in June, as bunkering demand grew modestly and bonded bunker fuel prices in domestic ports were still competitive amid sufficient supply.

The country sold about 1.92 million mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, with the daily sales at 63,980 mt, up by 5.53% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Regarding the sales by supplier, the sales by Chimbusco, Sinopec (Zhoushan), SinoBunker, and ChinaChangjiang Bunker (Sinopec) respectively settled at 400,000 mt, 650,000 mt, 80,000 mt, and 10,000 mt inthe month, while those by suppliers with regional bunkering licenses settled at 779,400 mt.

China’s daily LSFO output hits 24-month high in June

China’s daily low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) output hit a 24-month high in June, because of the release of new export quotas and good production margins.

Chinese refiners produced about 1.31 million mt of LSFO in the month, with the daily output at 43,567 mt, the highest since June 2024, JLC’s data shows. The daily output rose by 13.68% month on month and 27.89% year on year.

Specifically, PetroChina recorded a surge in its LSFO output. Most refineries, including Liaohe Petrochemical, Dalian WEPEC, Jinzhou Petrochemical, Jinxi Petrochemical, and Dagang Petrochemical, boosted their production. Meanwhile, CNOOC’s LSFO output increased moderately, as its Taizhou Petrochemical resumed production after maintenance. Zhongjie Petrochemical did not produce any LSFO as it was still under maintenance, while Huizhou Refinery maintained stable production. Zhoushan Petrochemical’s LSFO output decreased in the month, but it was still relatively high.

On the other hand, Sinopec’s LSFO output slipped slightly in June, with Shengli Oilfield, Shanghai Petrochemical, and Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical cutting their production. However, Maoming Petrochemical and ZhongKe (Guangdong) Refinery & Petrochemical maintained stable production, while Qingdao Petrochemical raised its output modestly. ZPC and Sinochem did not produce any LSFO in the month, but the latter produced and exported 10,000 mt.

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Domestic-trade bunker fuel demand mixed in June

Domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel demand improved modestly and exceeded supply in June. The demand settled at 310,000 mt in the month, with the daily volume at 10,333 mt, inching up by 0.10%month on month, JLC’s data shows. By contrast, domestic-trade light bunker fuel demand settled at 150,000 mt in the month, with the daily volume at 5,000 mt, down by 3.12% month on month, the data shows. Bearish sentiment lingered in the light bunker fuel market, and buying interest was limited.

Bunker Fuel Supply

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports hit 16-month low in May

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports tumbled further in May, hitting a 16-month low. The country imported 275,900 mt of bonded bunker fuel in the month, plunging by 50.30%the previous month and 54.81% from a year earlier, calculations show, based on data from the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC).

The imports were the lowest since January 2025. Bonded bunker suppliers did not import any LSFO in the month as domestic supply remained sufficient. Meanwhile, they reduced purchases of high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) when import arbitrage narrowed. Regarding the imports by source, Russia still ranked first by shipping 135,258 mt to China, accounting for 49.02% of the latter’s total imports. Malaysia remained in second place with 120,631 mt, accounting for 43.72%, while South Korea ranked third with 20,025 mt, occupying 7.26%.

China’s bonded bunker fuel imports totaled about 2.87 million mt in January-May 2026, a boost of 7.80%from the same period of time in 2025, calculations also show.

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Domestic-trade bunker fuel supply declines further in June

Chinese blenders supplied 290,000 mt of domestic-trade heavy bunker fuel in June, with the daily supply at 9,667 mt, a cut of 9.19% month on month, JLC’s data shows.

Blenders reduced their bunker fuel supply as the flow of low-sulfur residual oil into the bunker fuel field decreased. Meanwhile, cargo loading and unloading at northern ports slowed down amid stricter tax inspections and some other factors, which also depressed blenders’ production enthusiasm.

Domestic-trade MGO supply settled at 180,000 mt in June, with the daily supply at 6,000 mt, down by 2.11%from a month earlier, the data shows. Refineries lowered their MGO output when terminal demand weakened.

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Bunker Prices, Profits

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JLC Network Technology Co., Ltd is recognised as the leading information provider in China. We specialise in providing the transparent, high-value, authoritative market intelligence and professional analysis in commodity market. Our expertise covers oil, gas, coal, chemical, plastic, rubber, fertilizer and metal industry, etc.

JLC China Bunker Fuel Market Monthly Report is published by JLC Network Technology Co., Ltd every month on China bunker market, demand, supply, margin, freight index, forecast and so on. The report provides full-scale & concise insight into China bunker oil market.

Note: China-based commodity market information provider JLC Technology has been providing Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times China bunker volume data since 2020. Data from earlier periods are available here.

Photo credit: JLC Network Technology
Published: 10 July, 2026

Business

Singapore retains world’s leading maritime centre ranking in 2026 ISCD Index

The city state retained its position as the world’s leading maritime centre in the 2026 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index for the 13th consecutive year.

Published

3 days ago

July 10, 2026

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (10 July) said Singapore retained its position as the world’s leading maritime centre in the 2026 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index for the 13th consecutive year.

The port authority said the recognition is significant as it marks its 30th anniversary this year.

“It reflects three decades of close partnership between MPA and the maritime community to strengthen Maritime Singapore’s ecosystem, underpinned by strong connectivity, a comprehensive range of maritime services, and Singapore’s role as a trusted platform for the global maritime community to connect and collaborate,” MPA said in a statement.

The Xinhua-Baltic ISCD Index is an internationally recognised benchmark of leading maritime centres. The Index assesses maritime hubs across a range of indicators, including port performance, maritime business services, and the overall business environment.

In 2025, the Port of Singapore handled a record 44.66 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in container throughput and 3.22 billion gross tonnage in vessel arrivals.

The Port of Singapore also remained the world’s largest bunkering port, supplying a record 56.77 million tonnes of marine fuel, including growing volumes of alternative marine fuels. Today, Singapore is connected to more than 600 ports worldwide and is home to over 200 international shipping groups.

Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, said, “We are honoured that Singapore has once again been recognised as the world’s leading maritime centre. This reflects the strong commitment and collective efforts of our industry partners and the wider maritime community.

“As the industry continues to evolve, we will continue working closely with our partners to strengthen Maritime Singapore’s competitiveness and create value for the global maritime community.”

Photo credit: Peter Nguyen on Unsplash
Published: 10 July, 2026

Digital platform

Norwegian Cruise Line to enhance bunker procurement process with ZeroNorth

By leveraging ZeroNorth’s Bunker Procurement Solution, NCLH will create greater efficiencies across the bunker procurement process while enhancing transparency, supplier collaboration, and decision-making.

Published

3 days ago

July 10, 2026

Admin

Norwegian Cruise Line to enhance bunker procurement process with ZeroNorth

Maritime technology solutions provider ZeroNorth on Thursday (9 July) said it is partnering with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to enhance bunker procurement processes through digital innovation.

“By leveraging ZeroNorth’s Bunker Procurement Solution, NCLH will create greater efficiencies across the bunker procurement process while enhancing transparency, supplier collaboration, and decision-making,” the company said in a social media post.

ZeroNorth added that fuel procurement is one of the most complex functions in operating a global cruise fleet.

“Balancing market dynamics, supplier options, operational schedules, and cost considerations require timely insights and the right technology,” it said.

Lory Urdaneta, Senior Director Energy Strategy at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said: “At Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, we are committed to embracing innovative technologies that strengthen our operations and deliver long-term value.

“Our partnership with ZeroNorth is an important step in enhancing our bunker procurement process through greater transparency, data-driven decision-making, and operational efficiencies. We look forward to working together to drive innovation and support the continued evolution of our procurement capabilities.”

Photo credit: ZeroNorth
Published: 10 July, 2026