Singapore Launches LNG Bunkering Standard

Singapore April 28 launched its first technical framework for LNG bunkering.

The Singapore Technical Reference (TR) 56 was launched April 28 by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Spring Singapore, and the Standards Development Organisation at Singapore Chemical Industry Council.

This standard provides a safe, efficient, sustainable and transparent technical framework for conducting LNG bunkering operations in Singapore, thereby offering greater assurance to local and international LNG bunker buyers and suppliers, MPA said in a statement.

It added that its LNG bunkering pilot programme, which commenced early this year, will utilise TR 56 to guide the implementation of operational protocols by licensed LNG bunkering suppliers.  

TR56 is applicable to bunkering of both ocean-going vessels and harbour craft. Users will include all stakeholders involved in the LNG bunkering supply chain such as licensed LNG bunker suppliers, LNG-fuelled receiving vessels, ship owners/operators, training institutions, and third party agencies such as consultants, classification societies.

Captain M Segar, MPA’s assistant chief executive (operations), said, “While it may take time for LNG to take off as a marine fuel globally, we have taken steps to kick-start LNG bunkering in Singapore through our LNG bunkering pilot programme, one of them being the development of TR 56. The document will ensure Pavilion Gas and FueLNG, MPA’s two appointed LNG bunker supplier licensees, conduct LNG bunkering operations of high quality with regards to safety as well as quantity and quality assurance.”

With the shipping industry actively looking at solutions to meet more stringent regulatory requirements such as the announcement by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to cap the sulphur content of marine fuel at 0.5% from 2020, Singapore has taken steps to provide cleaner, alternative sources of fuel such as LNG. Earlier this month, Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions and Pavilion Gas signed a MoU on LNG bunkering co-operation in Singapore. It follows a similar agreement between Pavilion and ExxonMobil last year. Also last year a Singapore bunkering joint venture owned 50-50 by Shell and Keppel Corporation signed up its first customers.

Shardul Sharma