Global Energy Trading (GET) and Stellar Shipmanagement Services have teamed up with Bureau Veritas to build and class Singapore’s first dedicated methanol bunkering vessel.
The 4,000 DWT IMO Type 2 Chemical and Oil Tanker will be built by Sasaki Shipbuilding Co. in Hiroshima, Japan and classed by BV. It will become the first Category A bunkering tanker for biofuel and methanol in Singapore when it joins GET’s fleet by the end of next year.
Loh Hong Leong, group managing director of Global Energy Group, said the new tanker could pave the way for the next generation of more versatile bunkering tankers. “We have made an important step to support the industry’s effort on carbon emissions reduction by introducing alternative and green fuel bunkering supply chain solutions,” he said.
Stellar provides technical management and crewing services exclusively for Global Energy’s fleet of 20 tankers, which provides a full range of marine fuels, soon to include biofuel (beyond Bio25) and methanol in 2024.
“Methanol as bunker fuel will add a new dimension to the bunkering industry in Singapore, we are pleased to work with authorities, BV and relevant industry experts to develop methanol bunkering procedures and standards for the safe bunkering and STS operations,” said Kelvin Kang, general manager of Stellar Shipmanagement.
David Barrow, vice-president South Asia and Pacific, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, added, “As the industry explores alternative fuel options to support its decarbonisation journey, developing the industry’s supply and bunkering capacities will be an essential step to scale up and ensure the availability of these new fuels.”
