July 8, 2025
As explained in its Annual Report for 2024, MPA Singapore is actively preparing for a multi-fuel future, so that Singapore continues to be a leading bunkering hub capable of supporting all the fuel needs of international shipping.
Biofuels
According to MPA, biofuel sales increased by 70 per cent from 2023 to 2024. There were 0.88 million tonnes sold in 2024 compared to 0.52 million tonnes the previous year. Biofuel blends of up to B50 are already commercially available. MPA is actively working with the industry to develop standards for biofuel blends of up to B100 by 2025.
Methanol
Methanol is emerging as a promising alternative fuel. It offers several environmental benefits, including lower emissions of sulphur oxides and particulates. The world’s first simultaneous methanol bunkering and cargo operation (SIMOPS) was carried out at Tuas Port in May 2024. This demonstrated the operational feasibility of using the mass flow metering (MFM) system for methanol, in conjunction with digital bunkering.
Furthermore, MPA’s Technical Reference for methanol bunkering will provide comprehensive guidelines for methanol bunkering. It is expected to be ready in 2025. MPA has also received proposals for low carbon methanol supply and delivery. Several projects are already operational or have crossed the final investment decision.
Ammonia
Ammonia is another fuel option MPA is exploring, as it has potential for zero-carbon emission when produced from renewable energy sources. There were several initiatives by MPA in 2024 to advance ammonia bunkering. A notable one was MPA’s support for Fortescue when ammonia, in combination with diesel, was used for the first time ever in the world as marine fuel. This was for the Singapore-flagged ammonia-powered vessel Fortescue Green Pioneer.
MPA also worked with international partners to develop a set of interim guidelines for the use of ammonia as fuel. These guidelines were adopted by the IMO at the Maritime Safety Committee during its 109th session in December 2024.
Enterprise Singapore and MPA have plans to develop the Singapore standards for ammonia bunkering by 2025. The standards are important for ensuring the safe and efficient use of ammonia as a marine fuel. MPA and the Energy Market Authority of Singapore launched a Request for Proposal to identify a lead developer for a low-carbon or zero-carbon ammonia power generation and bunkering solution on Jurong Island. The lead developer for the ammonia solution will be announced in 2025.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
LNG sales increased four-fold from 0.11 million tonnes in 2023 to 0.46 million tonnes in 2024. An EOI was launched in December 2024 to explore scalable solutions for sea-based LNG reloading to complement the existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities, and to support the supply of e-/bio methane as marine fuel in Singapore.
We are mindful of the challenges ahead. The decarbonisation and digitalisation drives are complex journeys which require not only technological innovation but also close collaboration among industry, government, and the global maritime community
… said Chairman Niam Chiang Meng
Achieving bunkering and tonnage milestones
According to the Chief Executive, Teo Eng Dih, Maritime Singapore achieved many milestones in 2024 including:
- Vessel arrival tonnage reached 3.11 billion GT
- Container throughput by PSA and Jurong Port collectively crossed 40 million TEUs for the first time, to 41.12 million TEUs.
- The Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS), the world’s fifth largest registry, grew significantly to 108 million GT.
- Alternative bunker sales crossed 1 million tonnes for the first time to reach 1.34 million tonnes, or close to 2.5% of our bunker sales.
- All fuels – biofuels, LNG, methanol and ammonia were available for the first time in the Port of Singapore.