The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has outlined its approach to shipping decarbonisation, positioning LNG as a component of a broader multi-fuel strategy as the industry faces geopolitical disruption and mounting pressure to reduce emissions.

Speaking at the LNG for Shipping 2026 conference on 23 April, David Foo, deputy chief executive (operations & technology) at MPA, explained that the authority was actively preparing for a multi-fuel future anchored in regulatory frameworks and safety standards.

“The future of shipping will likely be multi-fuel,” Foo noted. “It will be shaped by vessel types, trade routes, technological readiness, safety considerations, and fuel availability. LNG, methanol, ammonia, biofuels, and emerging zero-carbon options will each have a role to play.”

According to Foo, LNG offers a credible pathway for near-term emissions reduction while preserving flexibility for future developments, including the potential use of bio-LNG and e-LNG. Compared with conventional marine fuels, LNG can reduce sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, while also offering lower carbon intensity, he noted.

However, the MPA official acknowledged environmental challenges associated with LNG, including methane slip—where unburned methane is released into the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas—and its status as a fossil-based fuel.

“Perhaps the question is not whether LNG is the silver bullet for maritime decarbonisation,” Foo said. “A better question is how LNG can work alongside other fuels as part of a credible, resilient, and commercially workable transition strategy.”

Regulatory framework

Singapore has implemented licensing frameworks and operational standards for LNG bunkering, including Technical Reference 56, which will be upgraded to a Singapore Standard. The authority opened a new LNG bunker supply licence application exercise in January 2026 to meet growing demand.

MPA is also exploring cleaner LNG alternatives such as biomethane within the licence framework. The authority’s work extends to developing operational standards for methanol and ammonia, informed by safety studies, trials, and industry engagement.

“High safety standards and operational excellence are not obstacles to innovation,” Foo remarked. “They are what make innovation investable. They are what give industry the confidence to scale.”

Geopolitical context

Foo highlighted the impact of geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions on maritime operations, noting that recent events have exposed vulnerabilities in the global maritime system.

“Conflicts have disrupted critical shipping routes. Supply chains have come under strain,” he observed. “For Singapore, this means maintaining the flow of goods through our port, ensuring the availability of bunker supply, and prioritising the safety of seafarers and vessels.”

According to Foo, volatile energy markets and supply disruptions have reinforced the importance of diversifying fuel sources and reducing dependence on any single pathway.

Workforce development

The MPA deputy chief executive emphasised the role of workforce capability in the energy transition, noting that new fuels, digitalised operations, and complex vessels demand new skills ranging from fuel handling and safety management to data and cybersecurity capabilities.

“The maritime energy transition is, in many ways, also a workforce transition,” Foo commented. Singapore will continue to invest in training and capability development, he added.

Foo also stressed the importance of international collaboration through Green and Digital Shipping Corridors and organisations such as the International Maritime Organization and International Organization for Standardization to pilot solutions, align standards, and share experience across regions and trade routes.

“Energy security, like decarbonisation, cannot be achieved in isolation,” Foo stated. “It must be pursued collectively.”