First LNG bunkering of cruise ship in APAC completed in Singapore

TotalEnergies Marine Fuels has completed the first LNG bunkering of a cruise passenger ship in the APAC region at the Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC).

The simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) bunkering was completed by 12,000-m³ LNG bunker vessel Brassavola, which refuelled Silversea Cruises’ 54,700-gt luxury cruise ship Silver Nova. TotalEnergies Marine Fuels declined to disclose how much LNG was bunkered.

One of a growing fleet of cruise ships that use LNG as a marine fuel, 2023-built Silver Nova has an LNG-battery hybrid propulsion system, enabling it to achieve an estimated 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Managed by V.Ships and owned by a subsidiary of Mitsui OSK Lines, Brassavola serves customers of TotalEnergies and Pavilion LNG. Shell Eastern Trading Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Shell, acquired 100% of the share of Singapore-based Pavilion Energy in 2024. The acquisition covers the firm’s LNG trading, shipping, natural gas supply and marketing activities in Asia and Europe.

According to TotalEnergies, the LNG fuelling was the culmination of months of detailed planning and co-ordination among multiple stakeholders to ensure compliance with industry safety standards. This enabled passenger movements and ship operations to continue smoothly throughout the bunkering.

As this was the first cruise ship to bunker LNG in Singapore, SCC chief executive Jacqueline Tan said, “There were stringent protocols to be complied with by all stakeholders, guided by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). This successful operation will pave the way for other LNG-powered cruise vessels to bunker at our HarbourFront Terminal.”

TotalEnergies senior vice president, Aviation and Marine Fuels, Louise Tricoire, said the bunkering operation “underscores the maritime industry’s collective drive towards lower-emissions solutions and the vital role of partnerships in accelerating the transition and aligns with Singapore’s vision for a decarbonised maritime sector.”

V.Ships Asia managing director, Mario Moretti, said his office provided the detailed planning for the bunkering operation.

This refuelling operation at SCC’s HarbourFront Terminal is an extension of the LNG bunkering services that have already been available in Singapore for harbour craft and commercial vessels since 2016, and positions Singapore Cruise Centre to support LNG-powered passenger ships calling in the region.

“The successful completion of the first simultaneous LNG bunkering operation for a cruise vessel in Singapore reflects our collective effort and commitment to uphold the highest standards of bunkering safety and efficiency,” observed MPA director, marine services, Chua Yeng Hian. “As the world’s leading bunkering hub, Singapore will continue to ensure safe and responsible bunkering operations while supporting the industry’s transition towards a multi-fuel future.”

LNG will figure prominently in that multi-fuel future. The Port of Singapore bunkered 464,000 tonnes of LNG in 2024 – 318% growth year-on-year. The MPA is exploring scalable solutions for sea-based LNG reloading to complement the existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and the supply of e/bio-methane as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore.