Singapore secures LNG bunker vessel

Being built by Sembcorp Marine at its Singapore shipyard, the dual-fuel vessel will be the largest LNG bunkering vessel set for use at the Port of Singapore for ship-to-ship LNG bunker deliveries and is due to be delivered in early 2021.

Ju Kai Meng, managing director of Singapore-based bunker tanker owner and operator Sinanju, said: “We are delighted to partner MOL to promote the development of infrastructure and competencies in LNG fuel deliveries for Singapore. MOL’s expertise in LNG and our strong foundation in fuel oil bunkering augurs well for a successful collaboration in meeting the growing demand for LNG as a marine fuel.”

User agreement

Pavilion Energy Pte. Ltd. and Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions have formed an agreement to co-share the utilisation of this dual-fuel LNG bunker tanker that will be chartered by Pavilion Gas Pte Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Pavilion Energy – one of two licensed suppliers of LNG bunker fuels in Singapore.

Industry reports indicate the growing interest of shipowners opting for LNG as a marine fuel to comply with the International Maritime Organization 0.5% global sulphur cap regulation which enters into force on 1 January 2020.

“While Singapore has entrenched itself as the world’s largest bunkering port, our foray into LNG bunkering is still in its early stages. Sinanju is committed to extend our unstinting support towards developing Singapore as a leading LNG bunkering hub as we have in the marine fuel oils sector,” Mr Ju added.

In April 2018, Sinanju announced that it had placed an order to build Singapore’s first LNG-powered conventional bunker tanker, which it will manage and operate when delivered later this year.