It is reported that the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) officially announced on November 24 that it has awarded methanol fuel bunkering licenses to Global Energy Trading, Golden Island, and PetroChina International Co., Ltd. These three companies were selected from 13 global applicants and have obtained operating permits valid for five years, effective from January 1, 2026.
MPA stated that the selection employed a comprehensive evaluation mechanism, rigorously screening applicants across multiple dimensions including supply chain reliability, operational readiness, safety management systems, and the sustainability certification of the supplied methanol. It is worth noting that during the earlier Expression of Interest phase for methanol bunkering business, Singapore received over 50 application proposals, indicating strong market interest in the green marine fuel sector.
The five-year license term is seen as a key measure to support the early development of the industry. MPA pointed out that this arrangement aims to provide licensed companies with sufficient time to systematically build their operational capabilities and refine their supply chain systems.
To regulate industry development, Singapore took the lead in March this year by releasing the Technical Reference (TR) 129 for Methanol Bunkering. This standard innovatively covers key technical aspects such as custody transfer requirements, safe operation procedures, and guidelines for the application of mass flow meters, providing a complete operational framework for the industry.
On the practical front, Singapore continues to promote methanol bunkering technology verification: it successfully completed the first ship-to-ship methanol bunkering operation in July 2023; in May 2024, it achieved the world’s first simultaneous methanol bunkering and cargo handling operation at Tuas Port, while also verifying the integrated application of mass flow meter systems and digital bunkering technology.
MPA emphasized that it will dynamically adjust the license system framework by continuously incorporating practical operational experience, tracking technological developments, and the evolution of international standards to ensure the system design consistently meets market demands and maintains foresight and operability.
Industry data shows that the green shipping transition is accelerating. In 2024, the total bunker sales volume at the Port of Singapore reached 54.92 million tonnes, with alternative fuel sales exceeding the 1 million tonne mark for the first time, marking a new phase in the energy structure adjustment of the shipping industry.
Through systematic institutional design, technological standard innovation, and practical verification, Singapore is focusing on building a complete green marine fuel ecosystem to provide crucial support for the global shipping industry’s goals.
