Keppel Nantong holds naming ceremony for Singapore’s first DF bunker tanker

Naming ceremony was held at Keppel Nantong Shipyard in China

Keppel Offshore & Marine reports that Singapore’s first dual-fuel bunker tanker was today named Marine Vicky by Ms Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), and Lady Sponsor of the vessel, in a ceremony at the Keppel Nantong shipyard in China,

Owned and operated by Sinanju Tankers Holdings Pte Ltd (Sinanju), the bunker tanker will deliver marine fuels to ocean-going vessels within Singapore port limits.

Under an agreement reached in July, the vessel will initially operate on a two year time charter to ExxonMobil Asia, delivering ExxonMobil’s new EMF.5 Engineered Marine Fuels to ocean-going vessels within Singapore port limits from the first quarter of next year (2020).

The vessel will operate primarily on LNG. Under the Maritime Singapore Green Port Program, registered vessels that are serviced by alternative or cleaner marine fueled harbor craft during their port stay – such as receiving bunkers from LNG-powered bunker tankers – can receive a 10 per cent port dues concession.

Built to the requirements of classification society, Bureau Veritas, the 7,990 DWT vessel will be Sinanju’s first dual-fuel bunker tanker.

Measuring 103 meters long and 19 meters wide, it is equipped with a 55 cubic meter LNG tank with a fuel gas supply system on deck to supply gas to the engine. The vessel is also fitted with pipelines and tanks that enable it to carry multiple grades of marine fuel cargo.

Ms Quah Ley Hoon said, “This is Singapore’s first bunker tanker to run on LNG and signifies the emphasis that Singapore is placing on developing Singapore into a LNG bunkering hub as the industry gains momentum to adopt LNG as a marine fuel. MPA is pleased to be able to partner Keppel O&M and Sinanju through the MPA LNG bunkering pilot program. The maritime sector is evolving and through these steps, we aim to further strengthen Singapore’s offering as a global maritime hub and a LNG hub.”

Mr Tan Leong Peng, Executive Director (New Builds), Keppel O&M, added, “We are at the forefront in providing environmental solutions in the marine industry, enabling us to support Sinanju with our dual-fuel vessel solutions. This bunker tanker will be the third dual-fuel vessel to be delivered by Keppel O&M. The dual-fuel technology enables more sustainable and economical operations, with more efficient fuel consumption, and underlines our ability to consistently provide value-added solutions.”

Mr Ju Kai Meng, Managing Director of Sinanju Tankers Holdings, said, “The engineering expertise and customer-focused approach of Keppel O&M has been integral in this project. Marine Vicky represents the start of our green initiative for bunker tankers operating in Singapore, and we look forward to its delivery later this year.”