Singapore’s Methanol Bunkering Working Group to Develop Technical Reference with DNV’s Expertise

Singapore, the largest bunkering port globally, prepares for a multi-fuel future including methanol

(IN BRIEF) Classification society DNV has joined a working group on methanol bunkering managed by the Standards Development Organisation at Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC-SDO). The group aims to develop a Technical Reference for methanol bunkering in Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub, covering custody transfer requirements and examining operational and safety requirements for methanol bunkering. The announcement of the development of the TR comes amid record-breaking orders for vessels capable of using alternative fuels. DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight platform has logged orders for 35 methanol-fuelled vessels in 2022, with over 70% of the 25 methanol-powered vessels currently operating being with DNV.

(PRESS RELEASE) BÆRUM, 26-Apr-2023 — /EuropaWire/ —  DNV, a leading provider of software solutions for the maritime industry, announced today that it has joined a multi-stakeholder working group on methanol bunkering, managed by the Standards Development Organisation at Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC-SDO), during Singapore Maritime Week. The group aims to develop a Technical Reference (TR) for methanol bunkering for Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub.

The SCIC, appointed as the Standards Development Organisation by Enterprise Singapore, has formed the “Working Group on Standard Development for Methanol Bunkering,” in consultation with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). The working group includes government agencies, bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators, engine manufacturers, testing and certification bodies, shipowners and operators, terminal operators, and classification societies such as DNV.

The TR will cover custody transfer requirements for the delivery of methanol as a bunker fuel and examine all aspects of bunkering, including crew training and competency. It will examine the operational and safety requirements for methanol bunkering, from the bunker tanker to the receiving vessels.

“Initiatives like the Working Group established by SCIC-SDO, are essential as the energy transition accelerates, and the maritime industry moves towards a multi-fuel future,” said Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, Regional Manager South East Asia, Pacific & India at DNV Maritime. “For methanol and other alternative fuels to continue to build traction within shipping, we need to build confidence and encourage a wider uptake. This can only be accomplished through standards that enhance safety while providing a comprehensive and practical framework for all stakeholders. At DNV we have been working with our customers for many years on alternative fuels to enhance the sustainability of their operations and are very proud to be included in the Standards Working Group.”

DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform has logged orders for 35 methanol-fuelled vessels in 2022, with more than 70% of the 25 methanol-powered vessels currently operating being with DNV. The announcement of the development of the TR comes amid record-breaking orders for vessels capable of using alternative fuels.

“Interest in methanol is growing rapidly, gaining ground on the most widely adopted alternative option LNG,” said Lukasz Luwanski, Regional Business Development Director at DNV Maritime. “Designs for methanol-fuelled vessels tend to be less complex, which means construction is typically less expensive than a comparable LNG fuelled vessel. On the other hand, due to incoming GHG regulations, a switch to ’green‘ methanol will be required much sooner than for a vessel that is LNG powered. This will make the Working Group’s TR a very timely and important reference point for the industry,” added Luwanski.

DNV was the first classification society to release a notation covering every aspect of using low flashpoint fuels, including safe design, fire safety, control, and monitoring. It has regularly built on these recommendations, including the Alternative Fuels for Containerships document, which was recently updated with a new chapter covering methanol and aims to provide neutral, fact-based, and scientifically sound decision support for newbuilding projects in the segment.

Media contact:

Nikos Späth
Head of Communications Asia Pacific, Maritime
Phone: +65 6508 3960
Nikos.Spaeth@dnv.com

SOURCE: DNV AS