Padmesh Prabhune

The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore is seeking proposals from companies to supply methanol as a marine bunker fuel at Singapore from 2025.

The MPA issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) on 14 December 2023 to invite interested parties to submit proposals for the supply of methanol as a marine bunker fuel in the Port of Singapore. Accordingly proposals are to be submitted by February .29, 2024, latest 15:00, Singapore time.

The action is ahead of an expected uptick in methanol-powered ships, as companies ramped up orders of such vessels amid plans to cut carbon emissions with cleaner fuels. Interest in methanol bunkering has grown as the shipping industry works towards carbon emission targets, with major shipowners and ports stepping up methanol bunkering-related projects globally.

According to official, the EOI aims to gather proposals for the implementation of end-to-end methanol bunkering solutions in Singapore from 2025. The goal is to ensure a resilient supply of methanol to meet the international bunkering needs in the Port of Singapore given the expected delivery of methanol-capable vessels in the coming years.

The EOI focuses on three areas: (a) methanol supply sources, (b) methanol bunkering operation model at commercial scale in Singapore and, (c) alternatives to the physical transfer of methanol molecules to Singapore such as mass balancing. MPA will assess the viability of various solutions in the proposals received, which will also inform and shape the development of MPA’s methanol bunkering licensing framework.

Mr Teo Eng Dih, MPA Chief Executive said, “The launch of this EOI marks an important step towards development of a methanol licensing framework to enable the supply of methanol at scale in the Port of Singapore. We look forward to working closely with interested parties on this effort which will be integral to help international shipping transit to green energy.”

Earlier in July 2023, Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub had conducted its first bio-methanol refuelling operation for a ship. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore’s port and maritime development, taking on the roles of port authority, maritime and port regulator and planner.
Marex Media