PIL Conducts First Simultaneous Cargo and LNG Bunkering in Singapore

Pacific International Lines (PIL) has completed its first simultaneous cargo and liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation in Singapore. The milestone took place at PSA’s Brani Terminal with the company’s 8,200 TEU LNG dual-fuel containership, Kota Ocean, coinciding with Singapore’s 60th National Day.
The operation, conducted in collaboration with TotalEnergies, involved the transfer of 4,000 cubic metres of LNG while cargo handling was underway. According to PIL, such simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) can save significant time, with LNG bunkering alone estimated to take around 15 hours if conducted separately.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and PSA Singapore facilitated the operation. PIL noted that LNG as a marine fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 23 percent, cut sulphur emissions by 99 percent, and lower nitrogen oxide emissions by 85 percent compared to conventional marine fuels.
Kota Ocean is the company’s sixth alternative-fuel vessel. PIL expects to add 12 more LNG dual-fuel ships over the next three years. The company views LNG as a transition fuel, with potential to adopt bio-methane and synthetic methane as these become more commercially viable.