Asia/Pacific News
Lui Tuck Yew: More Ports Need to Start Supplying LNG Bunkers
Singapore will move to provide liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering by 2020, Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew said Wednesday in his opening address at SIBCON 2014.
"We are working towards LNG bunkering in Singapore by 2020, hopefully earlier if possible, but that's the target date," he said.
Upcoming Emission Control Area (ECA) regulations, which from January 1, 2015 will limit the sulfur content of marine fuel used in ECAs to 0.10 percent by weight, as well as a future global cap of 0.50 percent, have fueled ship owner's interest in switching to low sulfur alternative fuels such as LNG.
"But I think for LNG to be more widely adopted, especially by the ocean going vessels, we need a string of ports around the world to come on board this venture," noted Lui, adding that the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has been working with other ports and organisations to shape and harmonise the specifications and procedures for LNG bunkering.
"The newly established Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel, SGMF, also provides an avenue for the MPA to work on technical and safety aspects. I understand that SGMF is the only industry body that specially looks into issues of gas as a marine fuel. They are doing their launch today and I congratulate them on that."
Lui said that the city will also start a pilot program to test LNG bunkering safety standards by early 2017, which includes providing up to S$2 million ($1.57 million) per vessel into testing LNG, for up to six vessels.
Delegates also heard that Singapore Standards SS600, Code of Practice for Bunkering and SS524 Quality Management for Bunker Supply Chain, is also to be revised, with the changes said to provide greater transparency in bunkering transactions, and also takes into consideration new practices and systems in international quality management.
Lui said the companies that adopted the standard would be in line with international benchmarks.
Yesterday, Sohar Port and Freezone (SOHAR) announced plans to being ship-to-ship LNG transfers and LNG bunkering to the port.
