The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has announced a series of measures at the 24th Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON) covering ammonia, LNG, biomethane and ethanol bunkering, as well as fuel quality standards, digitalisation and electric harbour craft.

LNG and biomethane

MPA will invite licence applications to operate LNG floating storage units (FSUs) in Singapore anchorages by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. This follows the award of eight new LNG bunker supplier licences in July 2026. According to MPA, the FSUs will expand storage capacity and improve supply chain resilience.

MPA, CMA CGM and Singapore LNG Corporation also signed a memorandum of understanding to explore liquefied biomethane as a marine fuel in Singapore. The study will include how existing gas infrastructure could support its supply and use.

First ethanol bunkering operation

Singapore will carry out its first ethanol bunker delivery at PSA’s Pasir Panjang Terminal later this week. The operation, involving Maersk, Golden Island Pte Ltd and PSA Singapore, will use bioethanol and take place concurrently with cargo operations, with the quantity transferred measured using a mass flow meter (MFM).

The operation will assess how Singapore’s existing methanol bunkering technical reference, TR 129, could be adapted for ethanol, and validate the use of MFM systems for ethanol bunkering. The findings will inform the technical and regulatory requirements for future ethanol bunkering operations in Singapore.

Fuel quality assurance

MPA and Enterprise Singapore, through the Singapore Standards Council, have introduced two new standards to strengthen bunker fuel quality assurance. A new Singapore Standard for Bunker Sampling (SS 730:2026) is designed to support consistent sampling practices and provide greater assurance over the quality and reliability of bunker fuels supplied in Singapore. A new Technical Reference on the Test Method for Polymers in Residual Based Marine Fuels (TR 155:2026) sets out a standardised method to assess the presence of polymers in such fuels.

Digitalisation

The electronic bunker delivery note has been the default documentation for bunker operations in Singapore since April 2025, under Phase 1 of the Digital Bunkering initiative. Phase 2 aims to enable end-to-end security and automation of bunkering data flows from MFM systems to stakeholders and the regulator, which MPA says is aimed at strengthening data integrity and reducing manual data entry.

MPA will launch a grant call in November 2026 to support selected Phase 2 trials. Licensed bunker craft operators can apply together with their technology partners.

MPA will also launch the Bunker Supplier Management System 2.0 in the second quarter of 2027. The upgraded system will provide a unified digital platform for bunkering-related regulatory transactions, licence applications and regulatory submissions.

Electric harbour craft

From 1 January 2027, MPA will introduce the Early Adopter Scheme for Electric Harbour Craft. The two-year grant scheme will support the adoption of eligible electric harbour craft, and the grant amount will be based on battery capacity and capped according to vessel size, at up to $250,000 per vessel.

Ammonia bunkering

MPA and Enterprise Singapore, through the Singapore Standards Council, launched a new Technical Reference for Ammonia Bunkering (TR 148). It covers requirements for safety, bunkering procedures, custody transfer and personnel competencies.

Under the Singapore-Australia Green and Digital Shipping Corridor, MPA and the Pilbara Ports Authority will validate the technical reference, and they are to share operational experience and information from bunkering trials at their respective ports.

The Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) is also developing a model contract for ammonia bunkering transactions. Named the Singapore Ammonia Bunkering Form, it has been developed over the past year with industry participants and in consultation with MPA. The document is intended to give buyers and suppliers a common basis for contracting and help provide greater clarity and consistency as the ammonia bunkering market evolves. It has now been released for public consultation, and feedback can be submitted on the SCMA website until 14 January 2027.

Oil spill response

In conjunction with SIBCON, MPA will conduct a multi-agency joint oil spill exercise on 16 October, including the Revolving Fund Committee exercise with Indonesia and Malaysia. SMS Murali and representatives from Indonesia and Malaysia will observe the exercise, which is intended to strengthen response capabilities to oil spills at sea and enhance regional coordination.