Singapore has taken a significant step towards sustainable maritime fuel use with the launch of a new standard for methanol bunkering. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Enterprise Singapore, through the Singapore Standards Council, have published Technical Reference 129 (TR 129), which provides a comprehensive framework for the safe and efficient use of methanol as an alternative fuel in bunkering operations.
TR 129 outlines critical requirements for the handling, transfer, and measurement of methanol. Key components include custody transfer requirements for ship-to-ship operations, operational and safety protocols for methanol delivery from bunker tankers to vessels, and guidance on using mass flow metres for accurate quantity management and digital documentation.
The standard was developed by a Working Group on Methanol Bunkering, comprising government agencies, research institutes, and industry stakeholders. David Foo, MPA Assistant Chief Executive, highlighted the collaborative effort behind TR 129, stating, “It provides clear guidelines to support the safe adoption of methanol as a marine fuel and gives the industry greater confidence in their transition to use of sustainable fuels.”
Choy Sauw Kook, Director-General of Enterprise Singapore, emphasised Singapore’s commitment to maintaining its status as a leading bunkering hub, noting that TR 129 will equip local operators with the capabilities and confidence needed for methanol bunkering.
Following successful methanol bunkering operations in 2023 and 2024, the new standard is expected to further Singapore’s ambitions as a sustainable, multi-fuel bunkering hub. Interested parties can learn more about TR 129 at a seminar during Singapore Maritime Week 2025.
“`
This news story was carefully selected and published by a human editor, though the content itself was AI-generated. If you spot an error, please report it here.
