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SMW 2022: Minister highlights ‘decisive green transition’ in keynote address

‘In the coming years, the maritime sector will also need to undergo a fuel transition, from today’s marine fuels to cleaner fuels,’ he states Mr Heng.
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Heng Swee Keat

The Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2022, organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), opened on Monday (4 April) with Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, Singapore, Mr Heng Swee Keat delivering the keynote address.

Entitled ‘Riding out storms and seeking new opportunities – The maritime sector in a time of change’ Mr Heng’s speech outlined how Singapore, as a global maritime hub, is responding to global challenges impacting the maritime sector.

Amongst three main topics covered in his speech was the ‘decisive green transition’ to decarbonise shipping.

“We launched the Maritime Singapore Decarbonisation Blueprint last month. It has ambitious goals, which include making our ports net zero and reducing harbour craft emissions significantly by 2050,” he shared.

“The Blueprint was developed after in-depth consultations with industry, and recognises the need to green every segment of the supply chain – from our vessels, to our port and marine bunkering infrastructure.”

Mr Heng, meanwhile, said Singapore is also seeking to contribute towards the international maritime green transition.

“For example, we set up the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, bringing together industry partners, researchers, and MPA to drive R&D and to pilot novel decarbonisation solutions. The founding of the Centre was made possible through an initial $120 million contribution from government and six like-minded industry partners,” he explained.

“A second example is the Coastal Sustainability Alliance, a partnership to support the electrification of Singapore’s harbour crafts by jointly investing in a network of charging points for electric boats.

“Yet another example is the Clydebank Declaration for Green Shipping Corridors. Minister Iswaran announced earlier that Singapore will be joining this initiative, together with 22 other signatory states.”

Signatories of the Clydebank Declaration are to support the establishment of green shipping corridors – zero-emission maritime routes between two (or more) ports.

“We are only 30 years, or one ship generation, away from the global maritime emissions target set by IMO. With more than 100,000 merchant vessels plying our seas today, many will have to be replaced in the coming decades. Likewise, significant complementary changes on the port-side infrastructure will be needed,” he notes.

As a global financial centre, Singapore has some 20 international banks with ship finance portfolios. Singapore also has a pool of venture capital, private equity and alternative investment players, says Mr Heng.

Moving forward, Singapore is looking to build a green ship financing ecosystem, and develop a suite of financing options to enable the green transition.

“In the coming years, the maritime sector will also need to undergo a fuel transition, from today’s marine fuels to cleaner fuels,” he states.

“Singapore, Japan, and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have also formed the Future Fuel Port Network to develop a roadmap on the adoption of cleaner marine fuels.

“We are also a member of the Castor Initiative, a multinational coalition across the entire maritime ecosystem, that aims to design, build, and commission the world’s first ammonia-fuelled tanker by 2025.

“I welcome all of you to work with us on this journey towards a greener future.”

Related: MPA blueprint prepares marine fuels sector for multi-fuel bunkering transition
Related: Singapore making ‘significant efforts’ to build sustainable maritime hub, says Minister
Related: MPA and partners establish Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Related: SMW 2021: MPA & Partners ink SGD 120 million fund to establish maritime decarbonisation centre
Related: SIBCON 2020: Singapore enters memorandum of cooperation on future fuels port network
Related: Singapore: MPA and Yara Intl in Ammonia-fuelled tanker Joint Development Project

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 5 April, 2022

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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.

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July 21, 2026

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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

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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.
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July 21, 2026

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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

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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.
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July 21, 2026

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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

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