Port authority move comes as part of global trend towards alternative fuels
By Marissa Lee, The Straits Times, 16 Oct 2014
By Marissa Lee, The Straits Times, 16 Oct 2014
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has engaged firms to embark on a pilot programme to work out the operational protocols for LNG bunkering here by 2017.
Under this programme, the MPA will fund up to $2 million a vessel for up to six LNG-fuelled vessels. "As we believe that there is a move towards alternative fuels going forward, probably post-2020 when it will really pick up pace, we're working towards LNG bunkering in Singapore by 2020," said Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew yesterday.
He was speaking at the opening of the Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON).
More than 1,600 delegates from over 50 countries converged at Resorts World Sentosa for the event, which has become the most popular forum for the marine fuels industry.
With stricter emissions regulations for shipping kicking in next year, the industry sees clean-burning LNG as one solution, among alternatives such as exhaust gas scrubbers and low-sulphur distillates.
Singapore, which opened its first LNG terminal last year, is set to lead the region in LNG bunkering.
In its pilot programme, the MPA will evaluate different modes of LNG delivery, including ship-to-ship transfers and terminal-to-ship transfers, to find the most cost-effective method.Mr John Saunders, marketing and membership manager for the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel, a non-governmental organisation, said: "We're delighted that more investment is being put into LNG. There are many fuel alternatives and LNG seems to be making the headlines, but without ports that provide LNG bunkering, ships will not be able to dock there."