Shell signs MoU with MPA to develop low- and zero-carbon fuels

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Shell Eastern Trading Pte Ltd will work together to advance the adoption of electric harbour craft and the development of low-and zero-carbon fuels in Singapore, as part of a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on April 17.

The MoU was signed by Teo Eng Dih, chief executive of MPA and Nick Potter, general manager of Shell Shipping and Maritime for Asia Pacific and the Middle East. 

To support the adoption of electric harbour craft, MPA and Shell will identify energy-related development opportunities. This includes collaboration on charging infrastructure for electric harbour craft. Both parties will also work together on the research and development of low-and zero-carbon fuels. This includes the training of crew in the handling, operations and maintenance of vessels operating on such fuels. 

“MPA is committed to working with industry partners, like Shell, to drive decarbonisation efforts in the maritime sector. Our partnership with Shell will tap into both MPA’s and Shell’s expertise in maritime decarbonisation, renewable energy and innovation. The MoU is an important step towards achieving our 2030 goal for all new harbour craft to be fully electric, be capable of using 100% biofuels or be compatible with net zero fuels, and achieving net zero emissions in our harbour craft, pleasure craft and tugboat sectors by 2050,” said Teo. 

“We are delighted to sign this MoU with MPA which paves the way for continued collaboration on a variety of decarbonisation solutions, including electrification and low-and zero-carbon fuels. Shell is working closely with industry stakeholders from across the value chain to explore the fuel and technology pathways to shipping decarbonisation, and later this year, we plan to kick off a hydrogen fuel cell trial on a Shell-chartered vessel,” said Potter.

The MoU signing took place at an event by Shell to unveil the first of a series of electric ferries in Singapore, and the first for Shell globally.

Shell worked with a Singaporean homegrown shipbuilder and shipowner, Penguin International, on the first fully-electric ferry service in Singapore. Penguin is the turnkey designer, builder, owner and operator of the electric ferries and their rapid shore chargers. 

Dubbed by Penguin as the Electric Dream project, the first electric ferry, Penguin Refresh, is scheduled to commence operations in May, ferrying Shell personnel, contractors, and visitors between Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal and Pulau Bukom. Two additional electric ferries will be operational in August 2023. 

MPA will work with Shell to make its charging facilities at Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Singapore available for other electric harbour craft users. Shell is also exploring the feasibility of expanding the shore charging infrastructure on the island. 

The signing was witnessed by S. Iswaran, minister for Transport and minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, and Aw Kah Peng, chairman of Shell Companies in Singapore.