FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M) and Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd, has set a new industry milestone for Singapore with the completion of its 100th LNG bunkering operation with no loss-time incidents, and in accordance with the Technical reference (TR) 56 standard for LNG bunkering in Singapore.

Since May 2018, FueLNG has been providing truck-to-ship LNG bunkering for two dual-fuel tugs operated by Keppel Smit Towage. FueLNG is also able to provide LNG for the commissioning of LNG systems and machinery, and trials for gas-fuelled vessels. In September 2017, FueLNG completed its first operation and provided LNG for the commissioning of the floating liquefaction vessel Hilli Episeyo.

Mr Chris Ong, Chairman, FueLNG and CEO, Keppel O&M, said, "This milestone is testament to FueLNG's ability to provide safe, cost-efficient and reliable LNG bunkering for our clients. We are optimistic that the industry will increasingly adopt LNG as a marine fuel and look forward to furthering our partnership with industry stakeholders to build a world-class LNG bunkering network in Singapore."

Mr Tahir Faruqui, Director, FueLNG and Head, Shell Global Downstream LNG, added, "By leveraging the strengths of its parent companies, FueLNG is able to provide comprehensive solutions for a range of activities such as LNG bunkering and distribution to industrial and consumer customers. The delivery of our LNG bunkering vessel in 2020 is an important step for growing a robust and reliable global LNG fuel supply chain in the years to come as we will be able to increase the availability of LNG with ship-to-ship services for our end clients."

Ms Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), said, "We are pleased to see good progress in LNG bunkering in Singapore. We hope that this would strengthen Singapore's offering as a global maritime hub and bunkering port. We will continue to work through local and international partnerships to increase the viability of LNG as a marine fuel for the future."

The benefits of LNG as fuel have been tracked by Keppel Smit Towage, which has observed that when running on LNG, the tugs perform as efficiently as when using diesel, but consume 5% less fuel in tonnes.

Mr Romi Kaushal, Managing Director of Keppel Smit Towage, said, "We are glad to be one of the leaders in the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel, which has enabled us to not only reduce sulphur oxide emissions but increase our cost-efficiency. This milestone proves the commercial and operational viability of LNG, and we look forward to continuing the partnership with FueLNG to enhance bunkering standards and operations."

FueLNG is committed to promoting LNG as a marine fuel and has placed an order with Keppel O&M to build South East Asia's first LNG bunkering vessel, which is projected to be completed in 3Q 2020. This will enable FueLNG to provide ship-to-ship bunkering services to global customers within the Singapore port.

Source: Keppel