Sinanju Logistics Services, the tanker operating arm of Sinanju Tankers Holdings, has entered into a two-year agreement with ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd to charter out LNG-powered bunker tanker Marine Vicky
The 7,990-dwt newbuilding will be the first bunker tanker for Singapore and Sinanju to be powered mainly by LNG. The deal will commit Marine Vicky to delivering ExxonMobil’s new EMF.5 Engineered Marine Fuels to ocean-going vessels within Singapore port limits from Q1 2020.
Under the Maritime Singapore Green Port Programme, registered vessels serviced by cleaner-fuelled harbour craft during their port stay – such as receiving bunkers from LNG-powered bunker tankers – receive a 10% port dues concession.
Sinanju managing director Ju Kai Meng said “Sinanju is delighted to enter into a new phase of collaboration with ExxonMobil, with whom we have had a long and successful working relationship. As responsible stakeholders of the maritime industry, we are stepping up to promote using LNG as a sustainable alternative marine fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and we encourage more such bunker tankers to operate in Singapore.
“The Technical Reference for LNG Bunkering (TR56:2017) to skill up for the safe and efficient handling of LNG is in place and we have a budding but comprehensive infrastructure to support the supply and use of LNG as a marine fuel at the world’s largest bunkering port.
“We will now focus on competence building through hands-on operations of this LNG-powered bunker tanker. I believe the invaluable experience garnered will serve as a strong foundation towards our preparation to embark on ship-to-ship LNG bunker deliveries from 2021,” Mr Ju added.
ExxonMobil Marine Fuels Asia Pacific sales director Koh Sing Liang said “ExxonMobil is glad to be partnering with Sinanju in its effort to reduce emissions in its operations. We are committed to doing our part to meet the demand for cleaner marine fuel supplies safely and reliably, while at the same time, reducing environmental impacts and providing sustainable solutions.”
Marine Vicky is a 103 m long, 19 m wide bunker tanker classed by Bureau Veritas equipped with a 55-m3 LNG tank paired with a fuel gas supply system on deck for engine propulsion. The vessel is being built at Keppel Offshore & Marine’s shipyard in Nantong, China, under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s LNG bunkering pilot programme.
The vessel will join Sinanju’s 13-vessel bunker fleet in December 2019.
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