Singapore sets methanol bunkering standard

In Singapore, the Maritime and Port Authority and Enterprise Singapore have issued Technical Reference 129, a new standard for methanol bunkering, establishing a framework for safe handling, transfer, and measurement of methanol in ship-to-ship fueling operations, the agencies announced. The move reinforces Singapore’s ambitions as a multi-fuel bunkering hub.

TR 129 outlines custody transfer requirements, including quantity and quality measurements, operational and safety protocols for bunker tankers and receiving vessels, and the use of mass flow meters and digital documentation to ensure transparency. It was developed by a working group of government agencies, research institutes, and industry stakeholders, including bunker suppliers, craft operators, engine manufacturers, and certification bodies.

After completing the world’s first ship-to-container ship methanol bunkering operation in July 2023, MPA conducted the first simultaneous methanol bunkering and cargo operations at Tuas Port in May 2024, utilizing the mass flow meter system for methanol and digital bunkering. Insights from these operations—including fueling procedures, crew training, and emergency response protocols—informed the development of TR 129.

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