Singapore launches first standard for liquefied natural gas bunkering
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), SPRING Singapore and the Standards Development Organisation @ Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SDO@SCIC) have launched Singapore’s first Technical Reference (TR) 56 for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Bunkering.
The standard provides a safe, efficient, sustainable and transparent technical framework for conducting LNG bunkering operations in Singapore, thereby offering greater assurance to local and international LNG bunker buyers and suppliers.
Over the past three decades, Singapore has established itself as the world’s top bunkering port. This has been supported by a strong quality and standards ecosystem and tools such as standards and accreditation schemes incorporated into Singapore’s regulations to build trust and confidence in the sector.
The Singapore government has been working closely with industry players to advance the development of Singapore as a leading LNG bunkering and gas trading hub. A robust LNG bunkering sector in Singapore will also unlock new business opportunities in related services such as LNG trading and storage.
MPA’s LNG bunkering pilot programme commenced early this year and will utilise TR 56 to guide the implementation of operational protocols by licensed LNG bunkering suppliers. This will help the industry gain operational experience in LNG bunkering.
“While it may take time for LNG to take off as a marine fuel globally, we have taken steps to kick-start LNG bunkering in Singapore through our LNG Bunkering Pilot Programme, one of them being the development of TR 56,” said Capt. M. Segar, MPA’s assistant chief executive (Operations), said. “The document will ensure Pavilion Gas and FueLNG, MPA’s two appointed LNG bunker supplier licensees, conduct LNG bunkering operations of high quality with regards to safety as well as quantity and quality assurance.”
“The Technical Reference provides strong guidance to LNG bunker licence holders on the operating parameters of LNG Bunkering. Of particular importance for this nascent industry are the guidelines on safety and reliability. FueLNG looks forward to contributing further to the enhancement of best practices that benefit the local industry and shipowners as well as to strengthen Singapore’s status as an LNG bunkering hub,” said Michael Chia, chairman of FueLNG Re Ltd.
Goh Tiak Boon, chairman of the Technical Committee on LNG Bunkering under the Singapore Standard Council, said, “TR 56 will support the adoption of LNG as a bunker fuel in the Port of Singapore to meet international requirements for environmental sustainability. It will also help the local LNG bunkering sector follow a uniformed set of good practices thereby enhancing efficiency, safety and transparency.”
“TR56 paves the way for the bunkering industry to transform to meet the challenges of the future economy. SPRING will work with industry stakeholders to develop the necessary accreditation and conformity assessment schemes, and provide a range of assistance to SMEs in areas such as training, consultancy, certification and funding to support the LNG bunkering industry in adopting this Technical Reference,” explained Choy Sauw Kook, assistant chief executive of Spring Singapore.
echo '
