Singapore’s MPA plans sea-based LNG reloading trials this year

MPA said on Thursday it had received 14 proposals under its expression of interest (EOI) to scale up the supply of LNG as marine fuel.

A total of 18 companies took part in the EOI, which included energy companies, fuel suppliers, traders, bunker operators, and storage providers.

MPA said eight of the submissions included bio-methane and e-methane solutions, which offer lower lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and support the needs of international shipping for additional options for vessel operators on the energy transition pathway.

According to the MPA, it will work with shortlisted companies to carry out sea-based LNG reloading trials by the second half of 2025, develop plans to promote the use bio- and e-methane as marine fuels in Singapore, assess scalability, technical feasibility, safety, operational readiness, and digital connectivity of the trials, and assess measures to address methane slip.

“Insights from the proposals and trials will inform MPA’s review of the LNG bunkering licensing framework, including enhancements to existing supply arrangements to better meet the needs of international shipping,” MPA said.

These efforts contribute to the emission reduction efforts discussed at the International Maritime Organization, it said.

To support the demand for LNG, MPA expects to call for applications for additional bunker supply licenses—including those covering bio- and e-methane—by early 2026, MPA added.

Singapore LNG bunkering

At present, the port of Singapore is served by three licensed LNG bunker suppliers and hosts three LNG bunkering vessels which provide ship-to-ship fueling operations.

The 7,500-cbm FueLNG Bellina, owned by a joint venture consisting of Shell and Seatrium, is Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel. It started operations in 2021.

Besides this vessel, the 18,000-cbm FueLNG Venosa completed its first LNG bunkering operation in 2023.

This is FueLNG’s second bunkering vessel, and the JV charters it from Korea Line LNG, a unit of SM Group’s Korea Line.

In addition to these two vessels, Singapore’s Pavilion Energy, which is now part of Shell, completed the first bunkering operation with MOL’s LNG bunkering vessel, Brassavola, in February last year.

A unit of France’s TotalEnergies also recently completed what it says is Asia Pacific’s first LNG bunkering for cruise passenger ships with Brassavola.

Last year, Singapore LNG bunkering volumes surged 318.5 percent to 463,948 mt.

This compares to 110,850 mt in 2023 when LNG bunkering sales jumped compared to 16,300 mt in 2022 and 49,190 mt in 2021.