Singapore approves B30 bunkering in Type I barges

Market: Oil products
10/03/25

Singapore has approved the bunkering of B30 from 7 March, with the country's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) announcing that International Maritime Organization (IMO) Type I barges are allowed to transport biofuel blends of up to 30pc at the port.

This is the proposed move that was agreed at the 12th session of the IMO's sub-committee on pollution prevention and response earlier this year and is part of the draft interim guidance on the carriage of blends of biofuels and MARPOL Annex I cargoes by conventional bunker ships. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is an agreement that covers the prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships. Annex I covers pollution by oil and oil products carried or operationally used by ships.

The draft circular seeks the current limit for biofuel blends at 25pc to be raised to 30pc. B30 is a blend that consists of 30pc used cooking oil methyl ester (Ucome) and 70pc very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).

The MPA "accepts this draft for early implementation on board Singapore registered conventional bunker ships with effect from 7 March 2025 onward," it announced on 6 March. The MPA also specified that bunker suppliers and craft operators are still expected to seek port authorities' approval for bunkering pilots and trials of marine fuel blends above 30pc. There are currently trials ongoing for B100 at the port of Singapore.

The draft circular is due to be presented for approval at the IMO's 83rd session of Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) in April.

Meanwhile, this measure by MPA comes as shipowners have been seeking opportunities to bunker B30 in Singapore and Malaysian ports for their voyages to Europe, as part of their efforts to meet current compliance requirements set by FuelEU Maritime that came into effect in January this year.

In line with the interest among shipowners, there were spot B30 indications in Singapore on 7 March as a key Asian shipowner reported discussions.

Prices were assessed by Argus at $730.50-735.50/t delivered on board (dob) Singapore basis on 7 March, based on indications that were at $245-250/t on a delivered premium basis to VLSFO cargo prices. Argus assessed VLSFO prices at $485.50/t fob Singapore on 7 March.

By Mahua Chakravarty

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