At the Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON), organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore's Minister for Transport, Mr Lui Tuck Yew, in conjunction with SIBCON officiated the global launch of the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF), a new non-governmental organisation established to promote safety and industry best practices in the use of gas as a marine fuel.
MPA introduced several new initiatives at SIBCON as part of Singapore's continued efforts to enhance its bunkering processes and prepare the bunkering industry to meet the demands of the future. This included preparing for LNG bunkering, as well as improving fuel quality and quantity, and ensuring fuel availability.
LNG bunkering: making Singapore ready for the future
To establish safety and operation protocols for LNG bunkering, MPA will be commencing work on a pilot programme by early 2017 with interested parties of the LNG bunker supply chain. MPA will provide funding of up to S$ 2 million per vessel for up to 6 LNG-fuelled vessels for the pilot programme.
There are several established modes of LNG delivery, such as the use of iso-tank containers, ship-to-ship transfer and terminal-to-ship transfer. For the purpose of this pilot programme, MPA is evaluating the most cost-effective mode of LNG delivery to test and establish operational standards and procedures. This will ensure that Singapore is ready for LNG bunkering in the future.
Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive, MPA said, "The bunkering industry is an important and integral part of our global hub port. As a top bunkering port, we will continue to raise our bunkering standards to ensure fuel quality and reliability. MPA continues to work closely with all our stakeholders to address the key issues and prepare the bunkering industry for the future.”
Adapted from press release by Ted Monroe