SINGAPORE: Seattle-based Harley Marine Services says its Singapore subsidiary is to build Singapore’s first LNG-powered bunker-supply ship, a Dutch-designed newbuilding that will supply heavy fuel oil (HFO) and marine gasoil (MGO ) to Port of Singapore customers.
Harley Marine has signed a memorandum of understanding to build the vessel with Singapore-based Pavilion Gas and Japanese firms Mitsui & Co and Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL). The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will contribute up to S$2 million (US$1.5 million) towards the vessel through its LNG Bunkering Pilot Programme (LBPP) grant.
International Naval Engineering Consultants designed the 7,500 dwt vessel to supply up to 6,600 tonnes of HFO and up to 600 tonnes of MGO. It will be Singapore’s first dual-fuel bunker-supply ship. The dual-fuel bunker-supply ship project “is still in the feasibility stage”, a source at MOL told LNG World Shipping. The partners have yet to name the shipyard.
Pavilion Gas and partner ExxonMobil have won a licence to provide LNG bunkering in Singapore and will supply fuel to the newbuilding. Pavilion says it will work with Harley, MOL and Mitsui to develop Singapore’s LNG-bunkering pilot programme.
It is unclear whether the companies may also order Singapore’s first LNG bunker-supply ship. Pavilion chief executive Seah Moon Ming said last week that the company plans to work with MOL and Mitsui “to build a robust LNG-bunkering eco-system in Singapore, Japan and the region.”
Mr Seah told last month’s LNG producer/consumer conference in Tokyo that the industry must shift from supply-demand dynamics “towards investing in a clean, sustainable future” and pledged to focus on developing LNG solutions.
Speaking earlier this autumn, Mr Seah said: “As part of [the LBPP] in Singapore, we are working with local shipowners to introduce up to two LNG dual-fuelled vessels that will deliver conventional bunker fuels to vessels in the port of Singapore. This effort is also supported by our partnerships with Japanese shipping companies and trading houses.
“Pavilion Energy and ExxonMobil are also collaborating to develop LNG solutions for LNG bunkering and other downstream developments in Singapore… starting with truck-to-ship LNG deliveries. This initiative will also help test and improve the safety and operational standards for LNG bunkering in Singapore.”
