Singapore to see LNG bunkering by 2015

Singapore plans to start supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel by 2015, according to a report by the country's Business Times.

"By the first quarter next year, the MPA is expected to finalise licensing requirements for bunker suppliers and craft operators to supply LNG to ships," Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) Assistant Chief Executive (Operations), Captain M Segar, was quoted as telling a conference.

A recent study by Lloyd's Register (LR), "LNG-fuelled deep sea shipping", concluded that in the long term LNG-fuelled engines are a viable option for deep sea trades, and that over the next 13 years LNG bunkering is likely to be adopted for short sea shipping in Emissions Control Areas (ECAs).

Overall the level of demand for the fuel is uncertain, however, and will depend largely on pricing.

The Port of Gothenburg said earlier this month that LNG bunkering will be available at the port in time for 2015 when tougher limits on marine fuel sulfur content go into effect.