By MarEx 

The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore has released a standard for LNG bunkering.

The technical reference (TR 56) convers requirements for custody transfer, procedures and safety distances and competency requirements for personnel. The technical reference covers LNG delivery from LNG bunkering facilities (i.e. trucking, shore, terminal, shipping and ISO tankers lifting facilities) to receiving ships through four modes of transfer (truck-to-ship, shore-to-ship, ship-to-ship and cassette bunkering).

TR 56 provides a safe, efficient, sustainable and transparent technical framework for conducting LNG bunkering operations in Singapore, says MPA, and was developed in conjunction with SPRING Singapore and the Standards Development Organisation @ Singapore Chemical Industry Council.

The Singapore Government has been working closely with industry players to advance the nation as a leading LNG bunkering and gas trading hub. In September 2015, MPA announced the co-funding program for LNG-fuelled vessels. There has been a positive response from the local harbor craft industry, and LNG-fuelled tugboats and bunker tankers delivering conventional fuels are expected to be operational from 2018.

In January 2016, the MPA issued two LNG bunker suppler licenses to Pavilion Gas and a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine and Shell which they have named FueLNG.

In October 2016, MPA announced the introduction of waiver of craft dues for LNG-fuelled harbor craft and 10 percent port dues incentives for ocean-going vessels using LNG-fuelled harbor craft when in the Port of Singapore. The MPA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with seven other international port authorities and maritime administrations to build a network of LNG bunker-ready ports to facilitate the adoption of LNG as an alternative fuel. The group remains open to bring onboard other ports that could serve as bunkering stops especially along the East-West trade routes.

In April 2017, the MPA announced the start-up of the nation’s first LNG Truck Loading Facility. MPA has also worked closely with the Singapore Maritime Academy to roll out LNG bunkering courses in line with TR 56.