FueLNG drives LNG bunkering infrastructure expansion in Singapore
FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M) and Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd, has named Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel (LBV), FueLNG Bellina. Scheduled to be operational by end-2020, the vessel will enable FueLNG to be the first to provide regular ship-to-ship LNG bunkering services within the Singapore port.
FueLNG will also provide LNG bunkering from Singapore’s first dedicated LNG bunkering facility which will be built by Keppel O&M on its Floating Living Lab (FLL), with Shell supplying the LNG to the facility when it becomes operational at the end of 2021.
Mr Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport & Ministry of Foreign Affairs, graced the virtual naming ceremony of FueLNG Bellina held today. SMS Chee said, “This occasion marks an important milestone in Singapore’s journey to achieve the IMO 2030 greenhouse gas emissions target. It is our next step towards regular ship-to-ship LNG bunkering activities in Singapore. As we progress towards a low-carbon future, we will intensify our efforts to develop the Port of Singapore into a global LNG bunkering hub.”
Mr Chris Ong, Chairman of FueLNG and CEO of Keppel O&M, added, “Building Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel and having a dedicated bunkering facility demonstrate our commitment to global customers that LNG as a marine fuel will be readily available in Singapore. Leveraging the capabilities of Keppel O&M and Shell, FueLNG is able to offer customers a variety of cost-effective and convenient LNG bunkering options. These include ship-to-ship bunkering for larger vessels such as containerships or being able to bunker smaller vessels such as harbour crafts on demand, 24/7, at our dedicated bunkering facility at the FLL in Keppel O&M’s shipyard.”
Singapore’s First LNG Bunkering Vessel
The 7,500m3 LBV supports initiatives implemented by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to increase the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel, facilitating the growth of Singapore as a global LNG bunkering hub.
Designed and built by Keppel O&M, the vessel is on track to arrive in Singapore later this year from the Keppel Nantong Shipyard in China. When operational, the vessel’s first contracts will be to provide ship-to-ship LNG bunkering to the Shell-chartered tankers and for one of Hapag Lloyd’s container vessels.
Mr Jan Christensen, Senior Director Global Fuel Purchasing at Hapag Lloyd, said, “We are looking to reduce our carbon emissions and LNG propulsion in our ships is one of the key contributors. Singapore is a significant port of call and we are pleased that there will be the necessary infrastructure provided by FueLNG for us to bunker our LNG-powered vessels.”
Mr Tahir Faruqui, Director, FueLNG and Head of Downstream LNG, Shell, said, “Singapore is an important country for Shell and it will be a key region of the world for our Downstream LNG business. LNG will play a critical role in the journey towards zero emission fuels while zero and low-carbon fuels are being developed. It is the cleanest fuel currently available to the shipping sector in meaningful volumes. Collaboration is essential to reach milestones like this and I’d like to highlight and thank the MPA for supporting the growth of LNG as a marine fuel. I’m also grateful for the strong partnership between Shell and Keppel in leveraging our unique capabilities to achieve this. FueLNG Bellina complements Shell’s existing fleet of bunker vessels, enabling us to safely provide LNG to customers across the world.”
The FueLNG Bellina is the world’s first bunkering vessel with Smart Notation. Equipped with Keppel O&M’s proprietary VesselCare solutions, these smart functions enable remote monitoring and real-time support of vessel operations. (Please refer to Annex A for features of the vessel)
Singapore’s First Dedicated LNG Bunkering Facility
Keppel, Shell and FueLNG will further expand the LNG bunkering infrastructure in Singapore with the country’s first dedicated LNG bunkering facility. FueLNG will provide LNG bunker to receiving vessels such as harbour crafts and small vessels from the facility, which will have a capacity of 3,500m3. It complements the LBV’s bunkering services and will also be able to refuel the LBV.
FueLNG is committed to providing safe, cost-efficient and reliable solutions in LNG bunkering in Singapore. Since conducting Singapore’s first commercial LNG bunkering operation in 2017, FueLNG has safely completed more than 250 truck-to-ship bunkering operations, a strong testament to its operational expertise and high safety standards.
