MPA picks PetroChina, 2 others to supply methanol at Singapore port from 2026

[SINGAPORE] The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Monday (Nov 24) said it will issue licences to three companies to supply methanol as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore from the start of 2026.

This follows a call for applications and a new methanol bunkering standard launched in March, as well as the announcement of licensing plans in 2024.

MPA said the move marks an important step towards establishing methanol bunkering at scale and “driving Singapore’s ambition to be a sustainable multi-fuel bunkering hub”.

Licences will be awarded to Global Energy Trading, Golden Island and PetroChina International (Singapore).

They were selected from 13 applicants through a “comprehensive evaluation process” that assessed supply chain reliability, operational readiness, safety systems and the sustainability certification of the methanol to be supplied.

The “strong interest” reflects the marine sector’s growing focus on lower-emission marine fuels, said MPA.

Methanol is considered a cleaner alternative to petroleum-based marine fuels because they can significantly reduce emissions such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.

The licences will be valid for five years from Jan 1 next year to Dec 30, 2030, subject to successful applicants meeting “relevant licensing conditions”.

“The five-year period supports the early development of methanol bunkering by giving licensees sufficient scope to build capabilities, strengthen supply chains, and anchor initial investments as the market develops,” said MPA.

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It added that it will continue to review the licensing framework as technology and global standards evolve.

In 2023, Singapore completed the first ship-to-container methanol bunkering operation in the world. It followed that with the first simultaneous methanol bunkering and cargo operation in 2024.