Alternative Fuels

Singapore: MPA develops framework to support biofuel bunker fuel deliveries

MPA in consultation with relevant industry experts has developed a provisional national standard on specifications of marine biofuel (WA 2:2022).

Published

4 years ago

October 5, 2022

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (5 October) through Port Marine Circular No. 21 of 2022 said it has developed a framework to allow licensed bunker suppliers to supply biofuel within the Port of Singapore.

The intent is to support trials conducted by vessels, as the shipping industry explores the carbon reduction potential of biofuel, provided that the conditions of the framework are adhered to.

For the supply of biofuel to support trials on vessels, the bunker supplier is encouraged to supply International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified biofuel.

Quality of Biofuel

All bunker fuels supplied in the Port of Singapore shall meet ISO 8217 standards. The ISO 8217 is being revised to include additional requirements for blends of distillate and residual fuel oils with fatty acid methyl ester(s). Therefore, MPA in consultation with relevant industry experts, has developed a provisional national standard on specifications of marine biofuel (WA 2:2022). This national standard has been developed under the purview of the Chemical Standards Committee (CSC), a committee under the Singapore Standards Council.

Conditions to supply biofuel within the Port of Singapore to support trials of vessels

The bunker supplier shall ensure that the mass flow meter (MFM) installed on the bunker craft is intended for the measurement of biofuel as supported by the MFM vendor with the uncertainty of measurement at not more than 0.5%;
The biofuel supplied shall meet the density and kinematic viscosity specification requirements stated within the MFM approval letter issued by MPA for the bunker craft;
The bunker supplier shall ensure that the flag Administration, and Class Society of the bunker craft approve or have no objection to the loading, carriage, and delivery of the biofuel onboard the bunker barge. In accordance with MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.17, the carriage requirements for biofuel blends are assigned based on their volumetric composition, as follows:
1) When the biofuel blend contains ≥75% of a MARPOL Annex I cargo, it is subject to MARPOL Annex I;
2) Biofuel blends containing >1% but <75% of a MARPOL Annex I cargo are subject to MARPOL Annex II, with the carriage requirements set out in chapter 17 of the IBC Code;
Biofuels blended with ≤1% of a MARPOL Annex I cargo are not considered as blends and are therefore to be shipped in accordance with MARPOL Annex II, under the appropriate product entry in the IBC Code;
The bunker supplier shall also ensure that Standards and Investigation – Marine Fuel (SIMF) (i.e. [email protected]) is informed of the biofuel bunker delivery. The monthly statement on all bunker supplies made by the bunker supplier shall include the bunker supply of biofuel (according to the fuel type and grade of the conventional fuel, e.g. LSFO180, MFO380, MGO);
The supply of biofuel as bunker should be sufficiently covered in the commercial agreement between bunker supplier and bunker buyer;
The bunker supplier shall confirm that Master/owners of the receiving vessel has received the necessary exemption from the relevant flag Administration to conduct trials for the development of ship emission reduction, prior to the delivery;
No blending shall be carried out on board the bunker craft within the Port of Singapore; h. The Certificate of Quality (COQ) shall be issued by the loading facility only and made available prior to the delivery of the biofuel in Singapore. Specifications shall comply with the specifications of ISO 8217:2017 (with the exception of clause 5.1 of ISO 8217:2017 on FAME levels) which will be in accordance with the contractual agreement;
All loading operations shall be carried out in accordance with all applicable statutory and port/ coastal State requirements (e.g. MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.17 – 2019 Guidelines for the Carriage of Blends of Biofuels and MARPOL Annex I Cargoes);
The biofuel blend shall also be tested for FAME and the results shall be incorporated within the COQ;
The COQ shall be sent to SIMF (i.e. [email protected]) a minimum of one day prior to the biofuel bunker delivery. Any additional information on the biofuel shall be provided to MPA upon request;
The product name of the biofuel product supplied should be filled accordingly in the BDN (e.g. VLSFO RMG 380 B20); and
The bunker supplier shall maintain records to all relevant documentation.

Note: The full Port Marine Circular No. 21 of 2022 is available for download here.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 5 October, 2022

Methanol

China: Xiamen issues safety guidelines for methanol bunkering operations

New guidelines establish safety requirements across the full methanol bunkering process, supporting the expansion of green marine fuel supplies at Xiamen Port.

Published

17 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Admin

Xiamen Free Trade Zone on Monday (10 August) said its Administrative Committee recently jointly issued the Safety Guidelines for Marine Methanol Fuel Bunkering in Xiamen Waters with Xiamen Port Authority and Xiamen Maritime Safety Administration, establishing a framework for methanol bunkering operations in the port.

The guidelines are the first safety operating standard in Fujian province specifically covering marine methanol fuel bunkering. They apply to methanol bunkering operations conducted by bunker vessels in Xiamen waters and set out safety requirements covering the entire operation, from preparation through completion.

The guidelines specify requirements for bunkering companies, equipment and materials used on bunker vessels, hose inspection intervals, personnel certification and personal protective equipment.

They also require operators to conduct dedicated risk assessments and prepare emergency response plans before operations begin. During bunkering, operators must maintain continuous monitoring and comply with specified weather restrictions. After completion, pipelines must undergo procedures including purging and inerting.

Xiamen Port has previously carried out ship-to-ship bunkering of biofuels and LNG. The new guidelines provide a regulatory framework and operational basis for methanol bunkering and are intended to support the safe and orderly conduct of such operations.

The move is also expected to help Xiamen Port expand its market and bunkering capacity for green marine fuels.

Photo credit: Woo Winter on Unsplash
Published: 13 August, 2026

Alternative Fuels

South Korea’s Polaris Shipping orders tri-fuel bulk carriers for Vale charter deal

Bulk carriers, which will be delivered sequentially from 2031, will be equipped with WinGD-developed engines capable of using methanol, ethanol and heavy fuel oil as marine fuels.

Published

17 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Admin

South Korea’s Polaris Shipping orders tri-fuel bulk carriers for Vale charter deal

South Korean shipowner Polaris Shipping recently said it has signed a newbuilding contract for four tri-fuel vessels with Chinese shipbuilder Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry on 4 August.

The 210,000-dwt Newcastlemax bulk carriers, which will be delivered sequentially from 2031, will be equipped with WinGD-developed engines capable of using methanol, ethanol and heavy fuel oil as marine fuels.

The vessels are also designed as LNG- and ammonia-ready ships, allowing them to be converted to LNG or ammonia propulsion in the future.

Polaris Shipping also plans to significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by applying various energy-saving technologies, including wind-assist propulsion systems, rotor sails, departure optimisation and land-based systems, to the vessels.

Polaris Shipping has completed a 25-year long-term charter contract for the bulk carriers with Brazilian iron ore producer Vale.

Polaris Shipping plans to sign construction contracts for up to four additional 210,000-dwt eco-friendly Newcastlemax bulk carriers with Chinese shipbuilder Hengli Heavy Industries in the near future. The Newcastlemax bulk carriers ordered from Hengli will be built as high-efficiency, environmentally friendly vessels to replace the company’s existing older bulk carriers.

Photo credit: Polaris Shipping
Published: 13 August, 2026

LNG Bunkering

Axpo and Vitol debut LNG bunkering operation at Italy’s largest cruise port

“Green Pearl”, a 7,500 m³ Italian bunkering vessel operated by Axpo, safely conducted the ship-to-ship refuelling operation on Sunday morning at Civitavecchia’s berth 18.

Published

17 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Admin

Axpo and Vitol debut LNG bunkering operation at Italy’s largest cruise port

Switzerland’s energy producer Axpo on Wednesday (12 August) said it has completed the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation with Vitol at the Port of Civitavecchia in Italy, refuelling a flagship vessel of a leading international cruise line.

The company said Italy’s premier cruise port and Europe’s second largest now joins Genoa and Naples in offering LNG bunkering services.

“This represents an important milestone in the development of infrastructure and services for alternative maritime fuels in Italian ports,” Axpo said.

Green Pearl, a 7,500 m³ Italian bunkering vessel operated by Axpo, safely conducted the ship-to-ship refuelling operation on Sunday morning at Civitavecchia’s berth 18. Operated by Axpo, Green Pearl was brought into service in 2026 and is dedicated to ship-to-ship and ship-to-truck bunkering operations in Italian ports.

Axpo Italia CEO Simone Demarchi, said: “This latest operation shows the ability of our supply chain to grow rapidly and meet the needs of leading international cruise lines. Over the coming years, the shipping and cruise sectors will be called upon to accelerate their decarbonisation journey. Today, LNG is one of the most substantial and readily available solutions to help support this transition.”

Vitol Head of Small Scale LNG & LNG Bunkering Stefan Dubbeldam, added: “LNG and bio-LNG have a key role to play in reducing emissions from bunkering. Vitol is globally invested throughout the value chain, from upstream bio-LNG and LNG production and offtake, through to solutions for customers through our LNG Bunker Vessel fleet.”

The extension of Axpo’s coverage to Civitavecchia, the primary seaport for Rome, follows the launch of LNG ship-to-ship bunkering at Genoa in late 2025 and Naples in May this year.

In addition to Green Pearl, the company has also chartered Alisios LNG, a new 12,500 m³ capacity bunkering vessel for low-emission fuels, which became operational in Spain last March.

Photo credit: Axpo
Published: 13 August, 2026