Singapore launches new standard on methanol bunkering, paves way for maritime industry’s transition to sustainable alternative fuels
25 March 2025
On 11 March 2025, Enterprise Singapore (“EnterpriseSG”) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (“MPA”) jointly announced the publication of Technical Reference 129 on Methanol Bunkering (“TR 129”). Developed through the Singapore Standards Council, TR 129 provides a comprehensive framework for the safe and efficient use of methanol as an alternative fuel for bunkering operations. EnterpriseSG and MPA explain that this marks an important step towards operationalising methanol bunkering at scale and driving Singapore’s ambitions as a sustainable multi-fuel bunkering hub.
TR 129 sets out requirements covering safe handling, transfer, and measurement of methanol in bunkering operations. These include:
- Custody transfer requirements, comprising quantity and quality measurements for ship-to-ship methanol bunkering operations;
- Operational and safety requirements for the delivery of methanol from a bunker tanker to receiving vessels, including a framework for crew training and competencies; and
- Guidance on the use of mass flow meters (“MFM”) to ensure accurate quantity management and digital documentation for bunkering.
Following the completion of the world’s first ship-to-container ship methanol bunkering operation in July 2023, MPA also conducted the first simultaneous methanol bunkering and cargo operations in May 2024 at Tuas Port with the use of the MFM system for methanol and digital bunkering.
Reference materials
The press release is available on the EnterpriseSG website www.enterprisesg.gov.sg.