Asia/Pacific News
Singapore Suppliers Can Join Forces for an LNG Bunker Licence
Two or more bunker suppliers in Singapore will be able to combine their liquified natural gas (LNG) bunkering efforts and apply for one single bunker licence, according to comments by a Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) official at last week's Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON), Platts report.
Assistant Chief Executive (Operations) Captain M Segar said that the key requirement for the approval of interested parties is that they must show they have both the experience and expertise to handle LNG, and also be willing to invest in the industry.
Ship & Bunker reported Friday that Segar expected to see LNG bunkering in Singapore by 2015, with finalised requirements for suppliers to be released in the first quarter of 2013.
Segar said that much in the same way that the existing bunker licence application system works, suppliers can apply to the MPA for either a licence to supply LNG bunkers, or a licence to operate LNG bunker craft.
"This allows industry players to choose which segment of the supply chain they want to be part of," he said.
In the first half of 2013 MPA will also develop and release technical specifications, standard operating procedures, and crew training information for LNG bunkering.
Rod Duke, SLNG Commercial Operations senior vice president, was quoted as saying that the Singapore LNG terminal is on track to be operational by the second quarter of 2013.
