Singapore Announces Recipients of S$8M in Grants, Other Initiatives as it Prepares for LNG-Bunkering by Mid-2017

Singapore Transport Minister Ng Chee Meng

Singapore says it will begin liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering by mid-2017, and is taking a number of steps including the setting aside grants of up to S$12 million to prepare for "a future of cleaner marine fuels," Ng Chee Meng, Acting Minister for Education (Schools) and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport, said this morning during his opening address at SIBCON.

"First, MPA and Singapore LNG Corporation Pte Ltd are signing a MOU today to develop a truck loading facility for LNG bunkering. MPA has committed $2 million to co-fund this facility," said Ng.

"Second, MPA and SPRING Singapore will jointly launch a technical reference for Singapore's LNG bunkering standards in early 2017. This reference will provide a reliable and transparent framework for LNG bunkering operations.

"Third, to encourage the switch to LNG-fuelled vessels, MPA had earlier announced a grant of up to $2 million for each newly built LNG-fuelled vessel. A total of $12 million has been set aside. I am happy to announce that MPA will be disbursing a total of $8 million to Keppel Smit Towage Pte Ltd, Maju Maritime Pte Ltd and Harley Marine Asia Pte Ltd to co-fund the construction of their new LNG-fuelled vessels."

Finally, in order to promote the use of LNG bunkers, the minister said newly registered LNG-fuelled harbour crafts in Singapore will enjoy a five-year waiver of port dues, and MPA will also grant a port dues concession to qualifying vessels engaging LNG-fuelled harbour craft for their port operations.

More details on the scheme will be announced by MPA at a later date.

Other developments announced during the welcome address were the investment of S$500,000 to develop mass flow meter (MFM) technology for distillate fuel delivery, and the rolling out electronic bunker delivery notes in 2018.