Singapore powers ahead with digital bunkering, AI, green fuels

In Singapore at the 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore announced beginning April 2025 all bunker suppliers will be required to implement digital bunkering services, including electronic Bunker Delivery Notes, to streamline operations. This digital shift is expected to save the industry 40,000 man-days annually and will be supported by a centralized e-BDN verification system managed by the MPA.

Additionally, the MPA is embracing AI-driven technologies with the launch of DocuMind and DocuMatch, two applications that streamline ship certificate renewals. Launching on January 1st, 2025, these innovations will cut certificate processing time from up to three days to just minutes for most transactions.

Also announced at SIBCON, Singapore and Shandong Province signed a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor agreement, enhancing collaboration on digitalization and green fuels. Discussions are also underway with Hafnia, K-Line, and MOL to join the Singapore-Los Angeles-Long Beach GDSC, focusing on net-zero fuels and energy-efficient technologies. And the Singapore-Port of Rotterdam GDSC anticipates demand for up to five million tonnes of methane and methanol by 2028. GATE Terminal at Rotterdam and Singapore LNG Terminal joined this GDSC to support development of a pilot trial and regulatory sandbox for bio-methane.

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