Asia/Pacific News
Singapore: MPA Awards First LNG Bunkering Licences
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) says it has awarded its first licences for liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering.
Pavilion Gas, and a joint bid from Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) and BG Group were said to be the best of twelve bids submitted.
As Ship & Bunker previously reported, the request for LNG bunkering proposals opened last July, and closed on September 30 last year.
"With growing international regulatory requirements and stricter standards for emissions, LNG is likely to be part of the fuel mix for global shipping as it becomes more cost-competitive and supply chain and infrastructures are developed," said MPA chief executive Mr. Andrew Tan.
"This is the first step in Singapore's efforts to become LNG bunker ready...[we are keen to] work with other major ports and the shipping community to promote LNG bunkering as an alternative marine fuel."
It is understood that the MPA will now work with the licence holders to develop the necessary LNG bunkering infrastructure, and aims to being bunkering by early 2017.
Last October Ship & Bunker reported that MPA was open to granting more than one LNG bunkering licence over the next two years.
