SPEECH BY MR NG CHEE MENG, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE (TRANSPORT), AT THE 19TH SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL BUNKERING CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
Published 05 Oct 2016
05 October 2016
SPEECH BY MR NG CHEE MENG, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE (TRANSPORT), AT THE 19TH SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL BUNKERING CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION.
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. Good morning. I am happy to see so many of you here today.
Singapore – The World’s Leading Bunkering Port
2. Bunker sales at the Singapore port continue to be strong.
o Sales volume reached a record high of 45.2 million tonnes last year,
o with the strong growth continuing into 2016.
o The first eight months registered a 10.4% growth in sales compared to the same period last year.
3. Singapore is now the world’s top bunkering port. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) efforts to continually improve and reinvent bunkering services have borne fruit.
Use of Technology to Improve Bunker Deliveries in Singapore
4. We have made good use of technology to deliver timelier and more efficient bunkering services.
5. Starting January 2017, all marine fuel oil in Singapore will be delivered via Mass Flow Meter (MFM).
o The use of MFM will provide greater assurance to both suppliers and customers on the quantity of bunker delivered.
o The speed of bunker delivery will also be higher, by as much as 15%.
o This means faster and more accurate deliveries, a win-win for everyone.
6. MPA will be extending the use of MFM to distillate fuel deliveries. I am pleased to announce that MPA will set aside
o half a million dollars to fund the test-bedding of using MFM to deliver distillate fuel.
7. The other technology MPA will be rolling out in 2018 is the electronic bunker delivery notes, or e-BDN.
o This will replace the current paper-based system.
o The e-BDN will enable immediate information transmission between the supplier and customer, greatly improving efficiency for all parties.
Developing LNG Bunkering as a New Capability for Singapore
8. We also are gearing up Singapore for a future of cleaner marine fuels. Let me share the key developments in preparing Singapore to be ready to supply LNG bunker by mid-2017.
9. First, MPA and Singapore LNG Corporation Pte Ltd are signing a MOU today to develop a truck loading facility for LNG bunkering. MPA has committed $2 million to co-fund this facility.
10. Second, MPA and SPRING Singapore will jointly launch a technical reference for Singapore’s LNG bunkering standards in early 2017.
o This reference will provide a reliable and transparent framework for LNG bunkering operations.
11. Third, to encourage the switch to LNG-fuelled vessels, MPA had earlier announced a grant of up to $2 million for each newly built LNG-fuelled vessel.
o A total of $12 million has been set aside.
o I am happy to announce that MPA will be disbursing a total of $8 million to Keppel Smit Towage Pte Ltd, Maju Maritime Pte Ltd and Harley Marine Asia Pte Ltd to co-fund the construction of their new LNG-fuelled vessels.
12. Last but not least, to promote the use of LNG as a marine fuel:
o newly registered LNG-fuelled harbour crafts in Singapore will enjoy a five-year waiver of port dues.
o MPA will also grant a port dues concession to qualifying vessels engaging LNG-fuelled harbour craft for their port operations.
o MPA will announce the details at a later date.
13. On the international front, Singapore has also been working with like-minded ports at various platforms to drive the development of LNG bunkering globally.
o For instance, the Focus Group formed by MPA and Ports of Antwerp, Rotterdam and Zeebrugge, Norwegian Maritime Authority and the Jacksonville Chamber has developed a set of harmonised LNG bunkering procedures.
14. To add to the good news, this Focus Group will be expanding its membership, to include Japan and the Republic of Korea.
o The Group will be signing a MOU today to deepen cooperation and information sharing relating to LNG bunkering.
15. MPA will continue help drive the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel.
o We will have closer collaborations with both local and international partners.
o An example is the inaugural LNG Bunkering Roundtable organised by MPA yesterday.
o I hear there were good discussions on the LNG bunkering supply network and infrastructure issues.
Conclusion
16. Let me conclude.
o Singapore does not take our position as a top bunkering hub for granted.
o With our commitment and your strong partnership, I am confident that Singapore will continue to be the bunkering port of choice.
17. I wish everyone a fruitful conference. Thank you.