The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said Oct. 28 it has launched a request for proposals from parties seeking to supply LNG bunker in the Port of Singapore.

A proposal must contain an end-to-end LNG bunkering solution, which should include details about its LNG supply and delivery model, its LNG sources and its marketing plan for the sale of LNG bunker, the MPA said in a statement.

"MPA seeks to announce the successful award of new LNG bunker supplier licence(s), if any, by February 2021," it added.

FueLNG Pte.Ltd. and Pavilion Energy Singapore Pte. Ltd. are the two licensed LNG bunker suppliers in the Port of Singapore currently.

The growth in LNG as a marine fuel comes as stricter environmental rules loom in global shipping.

In April 2018, the International Maritime Organization laid out its strategy on greenhouse gas emissions, aiming to cut the shipping industry's total GHG output by at least 50% by 2050 from 2008 levels and reduce CO2 emissions per transport work by at least 40% by 2030.

LNG as a marine fuel not only tackles sulfur emissions, but compared with existing heavy marine fuel oils, also emits 90% less nitrogen oxide. Additionally, through best practices and appropriate technologies, LNG minimizes methane leakage and realistically reduces GHG emissions by 10%-20% with a potential for up to 25%, according to industry sources.

SINGAPORE'S LNG BUNKERING INITIATIVES

Singapore, the world's largest bunkering port, has been at the forefront in developing its ecosystem and infrastructure to support LNG bunkering.

On Oct. 1, Singapore-based licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG held a virtual naming ceremony for Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel -- FueLNG Bellina -- providing a further boost to the accelerated use of LNG as a marine fuel.

Singapore is also actively encouraging vessels that call at its port to use cleaner fuels such as LNG by providing port dues concessions and co-funding the building of LNG-fueled bunker tankers.

As early as 2017, Singapore launched the Technical Reference 56, or TR 56, to provide a reliable and transparent framework for LNG bunkering operations in the Port of Singapore.

Among other initiatives, it has also spearheaded the formation of a network of global LNG-ready ports to encourage the adoption of LNG bunkering by shipowners and deepen cooperation and information sharing related to LNG bunkering.