Singapore Extends Grants for LNG Bunker Vessels
The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore has awarded S$6mn ($4.5mn) to FueLNG and Pavilion Gas for the building of two LNG bunker vessels, it said June 4.
FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel and Shell Eastern Petroleum, and Pavilion Gas will each receive a co-funding grant of up to S$3mn for their respective LNG bunker vessel. The vessels are slated for delivery in 2020, and will be amongst the first of their kind in Asia, MPA said, adding that this is a significant step towards cementing Singapore’s position as a leading LNG bunkering hub in the Far East, catering to large ocean-going LNG-fuelled vessels.
“LNG is a viable marine fuel solution to meet global environmental regulations such as the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 0.5% global sulphur cap from 1 January 2020. As the world’s largest bunkering hub, we are pleased to support the building of the first two LNG bunker supply vessels for the Port of Singapore. We look forward to the successful applicants contributing to the growth of ship-to-ship LNG bunkering in the Port of Singapore,” said Andrew Tan, chief executive of MPA.
Singapore is sharpening its focus on the LNG bunkering market and recently the MPA injected S$12mn into LNG bunkering in the Port of Singapore.
“The MPA grant boosts our plans to provide ship-to-ship bunkering in addition to truck-to-ship bunkering for ship owners. Leveraging expertise from both Keppel and Shell, FueLNG aims to provide safe, cost-efficient and reliable solutions in LNG bunkering for global customers who pass through the Port of Singapore, which will encourage the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel,” Chris Ong, chairman of FueLNG, said.
“We are pleased to receive the MPA grant for the construction of an LNG bunker vessel. Pavilion Gas’ commitment to build its LNG bunkering business and infrastructure in Singapore and globally is a strong signal to shipowners and the bunkering community that LNG is a credible solution to achieve IMO’s 2020 ruling,” said Pavilion CEO Frédéric Barnaud.