Singapore completes blended methanol bunkering

According to MPA Singapore, these operations will also test the use of mass flow meters (MFM) and digital bunkering. The blended methanol, comprising 20% ISCC-certified bio-methanol combined with conventional methanol, was supplied by Global Energy Trading Pte Ltd, a MPA-licensed bunker supplier, using MT KARA, a dedicated IMO type II chemical bunker tanker operated by Stellar Shipmanagement Services.

We thank Proman, Global Energy Group and Stellar Shipmanagement for the successful ship-to-ship bunkering of close to 1,340 MT of blended methanol. Doing so safely and efficiently is an important step towards our support to the international maritime community and complements MPA’s earlier call for expression of interest for proposals to supply methanol as a marine bunker fuel at scale in Singapore.

… stated Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, MPA

The fuel was received by the newly christened 49,900 DWT IMO II MeMAX tanker, Stena Prosperous, commercially managed by Proman, a leading methanol producer. This operation, which was completed in 7 hours, follows from the world’s first ship-to-containership methanol bunkering conducted earlier in Singapore in July 2023 for the Laura Maersk during which 300 MT of bio-methanol was bunkered.

With the successful execution of this large-scale methanol loading and bunkering supply operation, we have gained a deeper understanding of its operational characteristics. This valuable insight will enable us to further enhance the efficiency and safety of methanol handling in future operations.

… commented Kelvin Kang, General Manager, Stellar Shipmanagement

Proman’s marketing arm, Valenz, supplied the blended methanol, which was lifted at Vopak Penjuru Terminal in Singapore. This methanol blend offers a 31% reduction in CO2e emissions compared to voyages using Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO). It aligns with Fuel EU Maritime’s GHG emission limits for ships trading in the EU and EEA. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) aims to ensure that metrics for maritime fuels are measurable, reportable, and verifiable, enhancing transparency as more data is collected.

The MPA-licensed bunker tanker MT Kara, compliant with IMO’s International Bulk Chemical Code, features twin screw propulsion, a bow thruster, an onboard mass flow metering system, and a vapour recovery line. For safe methanol handling, it uses nitrogen for purging and nitrogen padding to minimize flammability risk. The vessel also has Quick Connect Quick Disconnect (QCDC) and Dry Breakaway Couplings (DBC) to prevent leaks and facilitate emergency disconnections.

The MPA is developing the methanol bunkering licensing framework and the Technical Reference for methanol bunkering, incorporating findings from current operations. Preparations for these operations included comprehensive risk assessments, coordinated safety protocols, and emergency response plans monitored by MPA’s Emergency Operations Centre. Additionally, the crew received specialized training at the Singapore Maritime Academy, which launched a methanol handling course in April 2024, reflecting lessons learned from previous bunkering operations.

We were delighted to undertake this bunkering operation in Singapore after the ship’s official naming ceremony and would like to thank all parties involved for the successful collaboration.

… said David Cassidy, Chief Executive of Proman. Meanwhile, Munee Chow, Group Business Manager of Global Energy Group gave congratulations to everyone for achieving this milestone. 

The Stena Prosperous was officially named on 23 May 2024 at a christening ceremony held at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore. On departing Singapore, the vessel will take its cargo to the United States of America. 

As informed by MPA, there will be another operation for simultaneous methanol bunkering and cargo operations for a container vessel in Singapore the following days.