As it moves towards starting LNG bunkering Singapore awarded two supplier licenses to Pavilion Gas and a venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine and BG Group.

The Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said it had received 12 bids for LNG bunker supplier licenses in response to a Request for Proposal last year.

MPA said it would work with the license holders to develop the necessary infrastructure to start supplying LNG bunkers from early 2017.

“With growing international regulatory requirements and stricter standards for emissions, LNG is likely to be part of the fuel mix for global shipping as it becomes more cost-competitive and supply chain and infrastructures are developed,” said Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of the MPA.

The authority is working with stakeholders to develop LNG bunkering standards and procedures at both the national and international levels.

“We will work closely with MPA and our partners to develop and test safety procedures and build relevant infrastructure to make LNG bunkering a reality in Singapore,” said Seah Moon Ming, ceo of Pavilion Energy.

YY Chow, ceo of Keppel Offshore & Marine commented: “We will leverage our years of experience and expertise in providing LNG solutions including gas carrier servicing to support MPA in its goal to develop Singapore into a key LNG bunkering hub in Asia.”

The MPA is funding up to SGD12m to build six LNG-fuelled vessels and has received five applications for the funds, which it said it was evaluating.