Singapore has moved a step closer to having its first dual-fuel bunker tanker after the vessel was launched in China on Tuesday.
The 7,990-dwt vessel was christened Marine Vicky by Quah Ley Hoon, chief executive of Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA).
The vessel is under construction at Keppel Nantong Shipyard in China and is on track to start supplying IMO compliant fuels in the first quarter of 2020.
Owned and operated by Sinanju Tankers, it will deliver marine fuels within Singapore port limits.
Oil giant ExxonMobil Asia Pacific recently entered into a two-year time charter agreement for the vessel with Sinanju.
“This is Singapore’s first bunker tanker to run on LNG and signifies the emphasis that Singapore is placing on developing Singapore into a LNG bunkering hub as the industry gains momentum to adopt LNG as a marine fuel,” said Quah Ley Hoon.
“MPA is pleased to be able to partner Keppel O&M and Sinanju through the MPA LNG bunkering pilot programme.”
Built to the requirements of classification society, Bureau Veritas, the Singapore-flagged vessel will be Sinanju’s first dual-fuel bunker tanker.
Measuring 103-metre long and 19-metre wide, it is equipped with a 55-cbm LNG tank with a fuel gas supply system on deck to supply gas to the engine.
It is also said to be fitted with pipelines and tanks that enable it to carry multiple grades of marine fuels.
Ju Kai Meng, managing director of Sinanju said: “Sinanju is taking a bold move to pioneer the use of LNG as a clean, alternative fuel for bunker tankers in Singapore with the launch of Marine Vicky.
“It is an exciting beginning for our sector and I encourage more bunker tankers to be built with the view of using alternative fuels or other sustainable methods in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and its environmental impact.”
