In addition to research and development, the parties will work with identified shipping lines on future joint bunkering pilot runs to support the decarbonization of the shipping industry.

On October 6, during the Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON), the trio revealed the Future Fuels Network.

“We can make a tangible difference with a clear roadmap and developing new infrastructure to enable supply and use of low-carbon and clean marine fuels," said Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority

The Port of Rotterdam is home to the largest LNG bunkering vessel in the world, the Gas Agility. Among other things, the 18,600-cbm vessel will supply CMA CGM's ultra-large LNG-powered containerships with LNG.

“Japan is pushing GHG reduction forward under the strong leadership of the government in response to the IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships. Alternative fuels without emitting GHG will be used as marine fuels to achieve the reduction,” Takada Masayuki Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan, said.

In the near future, the network aims to accept more port organisations.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries held a naming ceremony in September for the first Japanese LNG bunkering vessel scheduled to begin operations later this year.  Central LNG Marine Fuel Japan, a venture consisting of K Line, JERA, Toyota Tsusho, and NYK Line, owns the 81.7-metre-long 3,500-cbm vessel Kaguya.

Singapore also named its first FueLNG Bellina LNG bunkering vessel last week.

The first to provide daily ship-to - ship LNG bunkering inside the nation's port will be FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine and Shell Eastern Petroleum. It is expected that the bunkering ship will be operational by the end of 2020.

As it describes itself as a living laboratory for testing new technologies, Singapore has been a front runner when it comes to developing the fuels of the future.

Maritime Business World