Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has selected Global Energy Trading, Golden Island and PetroChina to supply methanol as a marine fuel in the world’s largest bunkering hub. MPA called the move an important step toward scaling up methanol bunkering and advancing Singapore’s ambition to become a sustainable, multi-fuel bunkering centre.
The licences will run for five years, from 1 January 2026 through end-2030.
Alternative fuels grow as the market evolves
Singapore’s overall bunker market remains massive, with 2024 ending at a record 54.92 million tonnes sold, and 2025 continuing at a similar pace, supported by longer routing patterns and shipowners’ demand for reliability. Within that headline volume, however, the fuel mix is shifting: alternative fuels exceeded one million tonnes in 2024, and methanol is moving from pilot activity toward a structured, regulated supply framework. LNG continues to hold its position, while ammonia is progressing from memoranda toward hardware orders and demonstrations.
MPA said alternative bunker fuel sales reached 1.34 million tonnes in 2024, roughly double the previous year, including about 880,000 tonnes of bio-blended fuels and more than 460,000 tonnes of LNG. Methanol volumes remain comparatively small for now, but Singapore is building the foundations for growth.
Standards, licensing and readiness
In March, MPA introduced TR129, a national technical reference for methanol bunkering, along with related standards for methanol bunker tankers. Applications for methanol supply licences opened shortly after. A total of 13 companies applied, and MPA has now named three licensees.
Singapore is targeting more than 1 million tonnes of low-carbon methanol per year by 2030, a goal that appears increasingly achievable as suppliers prepare vessels and equipment for safe, repeatable operations.
Beyond methanol: ammonia takes shape
Singapore’s multi-fuel strategy extends beyond methanol and LNG. Ammonia is now firmly on the roadmap, with authorities supporting demonstrations and the development of specialised bunkering capability as the port positions itself for commercial ammonia bunkering later in the decade.
