Singapore Port to Offer LNG by 2020

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is planning to establish LNG bunkering pilot programme by early 2017 in an effort to provide liquefied gas as a fuel option by 2020. MPA will
provide funding of up to SGD 2 million (USD 1.56m) per vessel for up to 6 LNG-fuelled vessels for the pilot programme, said Singapore’s Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew at this year’s Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON).

 MPA also announced that it will require all bunker surveying companies to be licensed with effect from January 1, 2017. Currently, bunker surveying companies are accredited and not licensed. MPA believes this move will raise the standards for bunker surveying companies and allow MPA to have greater oversight of bunker surveying companies and their bunker surveyors.

The sulphur limit in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) is also on the agenda at the Port of Singapore, with the authorities currently working with the industry to make ECA-compliant fuel available by January 1, 2015, when the directive comes into force.