Sinanju pioneers introduction of dual-fuel engine bunker tankers in Singapore: Leads drive in building LNG competencies for bunkering sector

Sinanju Tankers Holdings (“Sinanju”) announced the order of a 7,900 dwt dual-fuel bunker tanker. The newbuilding – a first for Singapore and for Sinanju – will be powered mainly by liquefied natural gas (LNG) to deliver marine fuels to ocean-going vessels within local port limits. It will also be utilised for training on LNG handling procedures and safety.

Sinanju confirmed the order through its partner of this project, Mitsui & Co. (Asia Pacific) (“Mitsui AP”), the Singapore subsidiary of Japan-based Mitsui & Co., a leading comprehensive trading and investment firm.

The partners have inked an agreement with Keppel Offshore & Marine’s (“Keppel O&M”) wholly-owned subsidiary Keppel Singmarine to build the bunker tanker for delivery by end 2019.

“Sinanju aims to kick start a green initiative for bunker tankers operating in Singapore; for our vessels to emit less air pollutants while boosting the local use of LNG as a bunker fuel,” says Mr. Ju Kai Meng, Managing Director of Sinanju Tankers Holdings.

“Operating a dual-fuel powered bunker tanker will also add impetus for our staff and crew to familiarise themselves with the Technical Reference for LNG Bunkering (TR56:2017) and be skilled with the safe and efficient handling of LNG when re-fuelling this vessel. We will be in good stead when embarking on ship-to-ship LNG bunkering as our next milestone,” Mr. Ju added.

Mr. Abu Bakar, Managing Director (Gas & Specialised Vessels), Keppel O&M, said, “We are pleased to enter this partnership with Sinanju and Mitsui AP. The dual-fuel bunker tanker will be the third vessel to be built by Keppel Singmarine under the MPA LNG bunkering pilot programme and the seventh dual-fuel vessel built by Keppel O&M, extending our track record in LNG-fuelled vessels. With solutions across the LNG value chain, Keppel O&M is in a strong position to capture opportunities as the industry adopts greener solutions.”

Mr. Taku Morimoto, CEO of Mitsui AP shared, “We are truly honoured and delighted to work with Sinanju and Keppel O&M, reputable and leading companies in Singapore, on Singapore’s very first dual-fuel bunker tanker project. Singapore as the world’s largest bunkering hub is initiating to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by boosting the use of LNG as a marine fuel, and we, as a company which has been serving the LNG industry for decades, would like to contribute further to Singapore’s green initiative.”

For this project, Sinanju appointed SeaTech Solutions International, a leading Singapore-based ship design and consultancy firm to design the dual-fuel bunker tanker.

Mr Prabjot Singh Chopra, Vice President – Technology at SeaTech shared, “We have built up strong capabilities and knowhow in LNG systems and this forms the basis for our innovative ship designs with LNG propulsion. And also cost effective solutions for LNG bunkering, in line with Singapore’s aim to be LNG bunker-ready by 2020.

“We are honoured to be entrusted by our valued client Sinanju, to design Singapore’s first LNG-fuelled bunkering vessel. We are looking forward to further collaborations in this exciting era of LNG bunkering at the Republic,” he added.

The 103-metre long 19-m wide dual-fuel bunker tanker is classed by Bureau Veritas (BV). It is equipped with a 55m3 LNG tank with a fuel gas supply system on deck to supply gas to the engine. Its fitted pipelines and tanks will enable the vessel to carry multiple grades of marine fuel cargo.

The ship is designed to comply with the latest EEDI and MLC regulations, along with OCIMF, ISGOTT and at standards to comply with oil majors’ requirements in marine safety.

Mr. Ju said, “We see a trend in oil companies encouraging and promoting the use of LNG in the shipping industry as a clean alternative fuel. We thus believe that such a vessel would also be aligned to our clients’ (namely the oil majors and independent suppliers) requirements for their use.”

Sinanju is a grant recipient of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore LNG bunkering pilot programme, to support the building of LNG-fuelled vessels.
Source: Sinanju Tankers Holdings (“Sinanju”)