zoomImage Courtesy: MPA Singapore

Singapore has taken a further step on its path to becoming an liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker-ready port as the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) launched its first standard for LNG bunkering.

The first Singapore Technical Reference (TR) 56 for LNG Bunkering was unveiled on April 28 by the MPA Singapore, SPRING Singapore and the Standards Development Organisation @ Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SDO@SCIC).

This 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, MPA Singapore informed.

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, providing the industry with operational experience in the field.

“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. 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,” Capt M Segar, MPA’s Assistant Chief Executive (Operations), 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,” Goh Tiak Boon, Chairman of the Technical Committee on LNG Bunkering under the Singapore Standard Council, said.