FueLNG's journey towards bunkering excellence

Under the leadership of general manager, Saunak Rai, FueLNG has achieved numerous milestones, helping transform Singapore into a hub for LNG bunkering.

FueLNG has garnered an impressive track record in Singapore, with more than 100 ship-to-ship and 500 truck-to-ship LNG bunkering operations accomplished. Mr Rai said the company has recently welcomed its second bunkering vessel FueLNG Venosa, marking a significant addition to its capacity to service customers.

Mr Rai is a licensed captain. His career continued with on-shore roles at Maersk LNG, starting as marine superintendent for LNG and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vessels and eventually becoming assistant general manager in LNG commercial operations. During his two-year executive MBA programme at the Copenhagen Business School, he developed a thesis on LNG bunkering, a pivotal experience that laid the foundation for his future endeavours in the LNG sector.

“FueLNG’s inception was as a true start-up, lacking even a physical office”

Singapore beckoned, with an exciting opportunity for Mr Rai to develop Norgas Carriers into a small-scale LNG shipping company, specialising in LPG and petrochemical gas carriers. The challenge of pioneering a concept that was relatively new at the time appealed to his entrepreneurial spirit.

During this period, the global maritime industry began to recognise the importance of emissions reductions through LNG as marine fuel, due to its near-zero sulphur oxide and particulate matter emissions and close to 75% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions.

Reflecting on those early days, Mr Rai recalled that in 2012-13, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) inquired about the possibility of LNG bunkering. However, demand was virtually non-existent at that point. This foresight would later prove invaluable.

FueLNG’s inception was as a true start-up, lacking even a physical office at the beginning. Mr Rai, with the support of its shareholders, worked on establishing the entire organisation and office, to prepare for the upcoming LNG bunkering operations. FueLNG’s first ship, FueLNG Bellina, which was also Singapore’s first LNG bunker vessel, was successfully delivered amid the COVID-19 pandemic and began its operations in March 2021. The first operation was Asia’s first SIMOPS (simultaneous operations) LNG bunkering operations with a container ship.

What lessons have been learnt since FueLNG’s formation? Mr Rai stressed the importance of collaboration with stakeholders and customers. He said that collaboration enhances the safety and efficiency of operations. While acknowledging the significance of FueLNG’s two major shareholders, Seatrium Offshore and Marine and Shell Singapore, Mr Rai highlighted the importance of collaboration with the entire ecosystem. Notably, co-operation with local terminals, which has been vital in facilitating simultaneous operations, saving valuable time for customers.